Londoners form human chain to demand an end to the war in Gaza

Dozens of people formed a human chain at a major London intersection on Sunday to protest the ongoing war in Gaza and the living conditions Palestinians are facing.

The intersection of Oxford Street and Wonderland Road was filled with protesters carrying signs calling for peace and waving Palestinian flags. Others held a white sheet with red stains to symbolize the thousands of children who've died since the war began in October, 2023. 

"Their entire life is a challenge over there right now," said Londoner Abdullah Dahche. "What are they supposed to do? They don't have any water, no food and it's inhumane what's happening."

A temporary ceasefire that held up for approximately two months between Israel and Hamas ended in mid-March when the Israeli military resumed ground operations and airstrikes. It said at the time the intention was to create a partial buffer zone between the north and south of the enclave. 

This weekend, Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip killed at least 19 people, Palestinian health officials said.

The Israeli military said Sunday it was re-examining evidence in the killing of 15 emergency workers found shot and buried in a shallow grave last month near Rafah. Video footage found on the mobile phone of one of the dead men, and published by the Palestine Red Crescent Society, called into question initial military reports of what happened. 

All bakeries in Gaza shut down last week after running out of flour and diesel to operate, amid an ongoing Israeli blockade on food and aid entering the territory, causing fears of famine. 

The war began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages, according to Israel. Hamas is still holding 59 captives — 24 of whom are believed to be alive — after others were released in ceasefire agreements or other deals.

Bodies of hostages have also been released in recent months, including the Bibas family made up of nine-month-old Kfir Bibas, his four-year-old brother Ariel and their mother, Shiri.

Israel's offensive has killed more than 50,000 Palestinians, including hundreds killed in strikes since the ceasefire ended, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. 

'It's affecting our lives here' Palestinian-Londoners say 

Sunday's protest in London was organized by the local chapter of the Canadian Palestinian Social Association and was in part, an effort to put pressure on local federal electoral candidates, said Samah Al-Sabbagh, the group's new president. 

"I am Palestinian myself and it feels like the bare minimum I can do is show up for my people whether it's cold, hot, snow or raining because they're going through way worse," said Maryam Hadi, who was part of the human chain. "It's very important to continue to show up. "

Athough Dahche said he doesn't have any family members currently in Gaza, watching the devastation unfold on social media has been heartbreaking. Palestinians living in Canada and other countries feel helpless not being able to do more for their community, he said. 

"The hurt and anger doesn't go away but this is the least we can do for [the people of Gaza], and at least bring some awareness to their situation" said Dahche. 

For Al-Sabbagh, trying to communicate with her extended family members in Gaza is an uphill battle and the constant stress is significantly impacting the everyday lives of Palestinian-Londoners, she said. 

"It's you think it's happening back there and it's not affecting us Canadians, it is. We and our kids have extended families there, it's affecting the way we work, our school, it's affecting our lives and we can't just stand there and wait for things to get better on their own," she said. 

"We need action and we want to show our community that we're here in solidarity with the Palestinian people and we will not leave them alone."