Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched in cities across Europe and the Middle East on Saturday to protest against Israel's offensive in Gaza, with sporadic clashes with police as some rallies turned violent. Police in riot gear confronted around 20,000 protesters waving banners and Palestinian flags outside the Israeli embassy in central London.
While Oslo police used tear gas as they fought activists on the streets of the Norwegian capital. About 30,000 took to the streets of Paris to call for an end to Israeli attacks in Gaza, with many demonstrators wearing Palestinian keffiyah headscarves and chanting "we are all Palestinians", "Israel murderer" or "peace".
"We are here to demand the end to this unacceptable war. There are more than 800 victims including numerous children and civilians. We cannot accept that," said Communist Party leader Marie-George Buffet at the Paris march. Israeli tanks advanced on Gaza and Hamas militants fired rockets at Israel on Saturday as both sides ignored international calls to stop the conflict.
The Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza says at least 821 Palestinians have died. Thirteen Israelis have been killed: 10 soldiers and three civilians hit in rocket fire.
More than 40,000 people protested against the assault in towns across Germany, while demonstrators outside the Israeli embassy in Dublin carried a mock coffin, covered with pictures of wounded or dead Palestinian children. Thousands of Lebanese Shias who turned out for an Ashura festival in the southern Lebanese town of Nabatiyeh also protested against Israel's offensive in Gaza. They carried Hezbollah and Palestinian flags.
"We tell the people of Gaza and to the elderly in Gaza and to the heroes of the resistance, you are not alone, we are with you ... victory is yours, God willing," said Mohammed Raad, a senior Hezbollah official, addressing the crowd.