Londoners gather to condemn Israel’s brutal assault on Gaza

Free Palestine — Protestors gathered outside Downing Street following the latest atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians living in the besieged strip.

Over the course of three horrific days, at least 48 people, including 17 children, were killed after Israel launched air strikes on the Gaza Strip in the occupied territories. The health ministry in Gaza said 360 people were injured in the attacks.

The Israeli army has claimed that some of the civilian casualties were killed by misfired rockets, without providing independently-verified evidence. The Palestinian health ministry says all of the people killed died as a result of Israeli airstrikes.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Iyad Abu Hamada – whose son, Khalil, was killed in the latest Israeli bombardment – said: “I saw with my own eyes the Israeli rocket from the roof of my home. The Israelis massacred my son. There is no doubt. The Palestinian groups are not responsible.”

While a ceasefire came into effect on Sunday following an agreement brokered by Egypt, Palestinians are still reeling from the devastating bombing campaign. It is too early to say whether the ceasefire will hold, or for how long.

But even under ceasefire, there is no respite for people living in Gaza – an area commonly referred to as “the world’s largest open-air prison” – where the unemployment rate is roughly 50 per cent and more than half of the population lives in poverty.

Yesterday (10 August) in London, an emergency rally for Palestine was held outside Downing Street. Photographer Guy Smallman was there to capture the actions.