Thousands stage rallies in West Balkans in support of Palestine

By Talha Ozturk

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Thousands of people gathered Sunday in the capitals of Western Balkan countries to rally in a show of support for Palestine amid its conflict with Israel.

People took part in demonstrations in Republic Square in the Serbian capital Belgrade carrying Palestinian and Serbian flags and chanting slogans such as "Free Palestine."

They also carried banners and signs saying "End the genocide in Palestine" and "Freedom for Palestine."

In Montenegro's capital Podgorica, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the United Nations building.

They unfurled a Palestinian flag and shouted "You don't have to be a Muslim to stand with Palestine, just be a human!" and carried banners reading "Free Palestine."

Thousands of Bosnians gathered in the square opposite the historical Vijecnica Library, one of the symbols of the capital Sarajevo.

They carried banners saying "Yesterday Srebrenica, today Gaza.”

They also chanted "Stop the genocide" and "Freedom for Palestine."

Palestinian folk music was also played during the rally.

The conflict in Gaza, which has been under Israeli bombardment and a blockade since Oct. 7, began 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.

It 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.

At least 4,651 Palestinians, including 1,873 children, have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.