Thousands in London protest Israeli attack on Gaza hospital

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - A mass demonstration took place in London on Wednesday to protest an Israeli airstrike on a hospital in Gaza.

Around 5,000 people gathered outside the Prime Minister's Office in central London in a vigil to commemorate the Palestinians that were killed in the attack late Tuesday.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 injured in the Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza, the Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday.

Israel has denied responsibility for the strike.

Some participants lit candles and laid flowers during the protest, which was held in the rain.

Observing a minute of silence for those killed, a group of people performed a prayer.

The crowd chanted slogans including "Stop bombing Gaza" and "Free Palestine" while waving Palestinian flags.

They also criticized the US and British governments as well as Israel for "remaining silent" in the face of Israeli attacks on Gaza.

A protester, Annabel, who preferred to give her first name only, told Anadolu that the British government does not speak for them.

"It is completely and utterly disgusting," she said of Tuesday's hospital attack in Gaza.

Annabel said she feels "deeply devastated" over the deaths in Gaza.

"When I look at all these people suffering, I feel like this could have been literally my family suffering like that, my children suffering like that," she added.

Gaza is currently experiencing a dire humanitarian crisis with no electricity, while water, food, fuel and medical supplies are running out.

The conflict began on Oct. 7 when the Palestinian group Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while more than 1,400 Israelis have been killed since the start of the operation.