UPDATE 2 - Thousands gather in London in solidarity with Palestinians

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By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) – In solidarity with Palestinians, a huge rally was held in London on Saturday to protest Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Protesters, who gathered at central Portland Place, shouted "Free Palestine" and demanded an immediate end to Israeli airstrikes and blockade on Gaza.

Organized by several groups, including Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the demonstration took place under intense police presence as it was announced earlier that more than 1,000 police officers were deployed to ensure safety and orderly conduct of the rally.

The crowd later marched towards the prime minister's office on Downing Street as they decried the UK government's support for Israel.

They chanted slogans against Israeli occupation, carried Palestinian flags and signs, with some of them reading: "Freedom for Palestine," "Sanctions on Israel," and "Stop Arming Israel."

Addressing the crowd, Husam Zomlot, Palestinian ambassador to the UK, said thr Palestinian flag has become a global symbol for the struggle of rights.

Mentioning that the real casualty in Gaza is much higher, he added: "Israel is indiscriminately bombing civilian infrastructure, houses, hospitals, schools, entire neighborhoods."

Referring to Friday's attack by Israel that killed more than 70 Palestinians, he said this is "a war crime."

"Israel has cut food, water, electricity, fuel supply to residents in Gaza, 2.3 million Palestinian residents in Gaza, this is a war crime."

- 'Our demand is to end occupation'

Former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said it is right to condemn the killings the targeting of civilians which is "war crime within international law."

"But it is also right to condemn the continuing occupation of Palestine by Israel," he said.

He went on to say that the occupation of the West Bank and the settlements also has to be condemned and opposed.

"Our demand is to end the occupation is to end the bombardment on Gaza," stated Corbyn, adding that cutting of electricity, water, and food is "also a war crime."

Kate Hudson, the head of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, noting the forcing of residents in Gaza to move south, she said Israel attacked the routes and killed hundreds of people.

What's happening in Gaza is "collective punishment and a war crime," added Hudson.

- 'We need justice'

Maggie Dunn, a protester, told Anadolu that what is happening in Gaza is "absolutely heart-broken."

"I absolutely, totally condemn what Israel is doing, (it) is just genocide," she said.

On the Israeli siege of Gaza with electricity and water cut off, Dunn said that this is a total punishment for 2.2 million people "who have nothing to do with Hamas."

That is why, she said, they gathered on the streets today to support Palestine as civilians in Gaza have no medicine, food and power.

Criticizing the British government's stance, Dunn said it does not speak for her and tens of thousands of people who gathered today.

Also speaking to Anadolu, another Palestinian supporter Ayman al-Halabi criticized the international media for its over coverage of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

He said Western media turned a blind eye to people in Gaza.

"We need justice, which is seems far away," he said, citing the 75-year suffering of Palestinians.

- 15 people arrested

Following the gathering on Downing Street, some protesters marched toward the Israeli Embassy which had been cordoned off by a high number of police.

After performing the congregational maghrib prayer, dozens held a protest, decrying the British government for its support for Israel as well as attacks on Gaza.

They also vowed to hold protests every Saturday outside of the embassy "until Palestine will be free."

Another group held a protest in famous Trafalgar Square in central London, where a skirmish occurred between the crowd and police following the arrest of protesters.

The Metropolitan Police said late Friday that a 15 people were arrested related to protest.

"Following the seven arrests during today's protest, this evening saw a further eight arrests for offences including assaults on emergency workers, setting off fireworks in a public place and public order," it said.

Earlier, the police said seven people were arrested on suspicion of offences, including "two public order offences and one criminal damages."

The conflict between Palestine and Israel began last 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.

Israel's response has extended into cutting water and electricity supplies to Gaza, further worsening the living conditions in an area that has faced a crippling siege since 2007, as well as ordering over 1 million people to evacuate northern Gaza in less than 24 hours.