By Talha Ozturk
BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) – Students from the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday joined worldwide protests against Israel's ongoing attacks on the besieged Gaza Strip.
Students unfurled Palestinian flags and carried banners that read "Cease-fire," "I stand with Palestine," and "Be the voice of silence."
IUS Rector Professor Ahmet Yildirim told the media that they are protesting the silence of many countries on what has been happening in Gaza.
"When we look at the history of the world, these may be the worst things. Not only people but humanity are dying there,'' he said.
Palestinian university student Jana Al Ryahi described what happened in her country as tragic and heartbreaking.
"There are no words to express the anguish I feel as I stand here thinking about my brothers and sisters in Gaza. Being unable to do anything is honestly the worst thing that could happen to me. I would rather be there with them," Ryahi stated.
Ryahi said she is proud of her friends for being able to speak up on their campus and for standing on the right side of history.
One of the students, Fatma Nur Ekmekci, said they came together to draw attention to and show the world what is happening to Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel has waged a brutal offensive on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for an Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which killed 1,200 people.
More than 35,230 Palestinians have since been killed in Gaza, mostly women and children, and over 79,140 others injured, according to Palestinian health authorities.
In the West Bank, nearly 500 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured since Oct. 7, along with daily arrest campaigns by the Israeli army.
Israel is accused of “genocide” at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered Tel Aviv to ensure its forces do not commit acts of genocide and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.