Israeli attacks on Rafah protested in front of Dutch House of Representatives

By Abdullah Asiran

THE HAGUE (AA) - A rally was held Thursday in front of the Dutch House of Representatives to protest Israeli attacks on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.

Pro-Palestine supporters lay prone on the ground outside the building, covered with white sheets to represent those killed in the Gaza Strip, while lawmakers inside held discussions on the formation of a new government.

Protesters also carried banners that read: "Free Palestine", "Stop bombing Gaza now!" and “Ceasefire now!"

They chanted slogans condemning Israel and expressing support for Palestinians.

Speaking on behalf of the protestors, Bijana Volcevska expressed their sadness over the Israeli attacks on Gaza and their solidarity with Palestine.

"Your colonialist face has been exposed. Europe has never been able to rid itself of its colonialist mindset. We will not stand idle and watch the genocide unfold," she declared to the crowd.

Israel has continued its brutal offensive on Gaza since Oct. 7, despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire.

More than 36,200 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and over 81,700 injured, according to local health authorities.

Nearly eight months into the Israeli war, vast swathes of Gaza lay in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which in its latest ruling has ordered it to immediately halt its operation in Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on May 6.