Thousands join anti-Israel march in London days before Oct. 7 anniversary

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters march through central London calling for Israel to halt its military offensives in Gaza against Hamas and in Lebanon against Hezbollah, nearly a year after the October 7 onslaught by the Hamas terror group that triggered the fighting.

Pro-Palestinian supporters from across the country began the march from Russell Square to Downing Street demanding an end to the conflict. At the 20th “National March for Palestine” in London, familiar chants — “ceasefire now,” “stop bombing hospitals, stop bombing civilians” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” — are joined by shouts of “hands off Lebanon.”

London’s Metropolitan Police put a “significant” policing operation ahead of planned protests and memorial events.

While the rally was largely peaceful, two were arrested for assaulting an emergency worker, according to the Met.

Three others were arrested as tensions rose between the main march and a counterprotest.