Thousands rally in support of Palestine in New York City

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Thousands gathered Friday in New York City to express solidarity with Palestine and protest Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Demonstrators demanded an end to Israeli occupation and the liberation of Palestinian territories. They accused Israel of "genocide" in the region.

Protestors, carrying Palestinian flags and banners, marched from Times Square to the Consulate General of Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.

Banners displaying messages such as "Free Palestine," "Resistance is Justified," "Gaza resists Zionist regime," and "End all US aid to Israel" were prominently featured.

A counter-protest unfolded where demonstrators expressed solidarity with Israel.

Anadolu footage captured confrontations between the two opposing groups, including the arrest of one individual by police.

The protests, second in the city, came amid ongoing Israeli airstrikes that have persisted since last weekend's Hamas attack in Israel.

Israeli forces launched a sustained and forceful military campaign against the Gaza Strip in response to a military offensive by the Palestinian group Hamas in Israeli territories.

The conflict began Saturday when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack including a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel via land, sea and air.

Hamas said the operation was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque in occupied East Jerusalem and Israeli settlers’ growing violence against Palestinians.

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

That response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has reeled under a crippling siege since 2007.

More than 3,300 people have been killed since the outbreak of the conflict, including 1,900 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.