University students hold pro-Palestinian rally in France's Toulouse city

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) – Hundreds of university students gathered in the southern French city of Toulouse on Wednesday to demonstrate their support for Palestine.

The student protests at Toulouse-Jean Jaures University's Mirail Campus were posted on X by Revolution Permenante, a French leftist political organization.

"With the call of 7 student and trade union organizations, nearly 400 people gathered at Mirail University in solidarity with the Palestinian people, and to demand an end to the bombing of Gaza," the organization said.

The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and chanted pro-Palestinian slogans, according to the video attached to the post. Many people were seen wearing "kufiyye," a traditional headdress that is regarded as a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

At least 471 people were killed and 342 others were injured in an Israeli airstrike on Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza late Tuesday, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Wednesday. Israel, however, has denied responsibility for the air raid.

Gaza is already 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 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 the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.

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 ceasefire” to ease the “epic human suffering.”

At least 3,478 Palestinians have so far been killed, while the figure stands at more than 1,400 people in Israel.