Ahead of Gaza war’s first anniversary, thousands march worldwide for ceasefire

Ahead of the first anniversary of the Israel-Hamas war on Monday (October 7), tens of thousands of protesters marched in cities around the world over the weekend, calling for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as well as Lebanon. Israel is currently fighting Hamas, Iran, and the Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.

Israel's retaliatory military offensive has killed more than 41,000 people in Gaza, many of them civilians, according to figures provided by the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, described as reliable by the United Nations.

With Israel now mounting a ground operation in Lebanon and vowing to respond to a barrage of missiles fired by Iran this week, there are fears the conflict could spiral into a wider war.

The calls for ceasefire

A report by the news agency AFP on Sunday said that more than a thousand protesters demonstrated outside the White House in Washington, demanding the Joe Biden-led US administration to stop providingweapons and aid to Israel.

One man at the demonstrations succeeded in setting ablaze his left arm before bystanders and police extinguished the flames.

Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in cities across Europe, Africa, Australia and the Americas to demand an end to the Gaza war.

In Rome, apro-Palestinian protest that drew thousands of people turned violent, as dozens of young demonstrators threw bottles and firecrackers at police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

At least one policeman was wounded and two protesters were detained.

In Berlin,police said they detained 26 people who shouted insults at a pro-Israeli commemoration attended by around 650 people.

At the "National March for Palestine" in London, chants of "stop bombing civilians" were joined by shouts of "hands off Lebanon."

Lebanon PM urges pressure on Israel for ceasefire

On Sunday, Lebanese Prime MinisterNajib Mikati called for "pressure on Israel" for a ceasefire as a new wave of 'violent strikes' by Israelhit the capital's southern suburbs.

Prime MinisterMikati said he backed US and French efforts for a truce.

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His remarks came as a huge fireball lit up the night sky and plumes of smoke rose over south Beirut early Sunday as Israel unleashed intense air strikes targeting Hezbollah.

Fresh Israeli strikes in Beirut were seen later in the day.

(With inputs from agencies)