Dutch civil servants demand Gaza cease-fire in rare protest

AMSTERDAM

More than 100 public employees in the Netherlands demonstrated in The Hague to demand a permanent cease-fire in the Gaza Strip where more than 20,000 civilians have been killed since Oct. 7, according to media reports.

The civil servants expressed concern about the government's stance to not demand a cease-fire as they gathered outside the Foreign Ministry building, said public broadcaster NOS.

It said the protest was rare in the Netherlands.

Social media posts showed the group sitting on the ground in front of the building, holding a banner expressing that public employees want a cease-fire.

In October, civil servants sent a letter to the government and asked them to stop Israel and protect innocent civilians.

The letter expressed concern about the government's "unconditional support" to Israel.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas was triggered by the Palestinian group's cross-border attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel responded with air and ground attacks that have killed more than 20,000 victims, mostly women and children, and caused mass displacement and destruction.

Israel has rejected demands for a permanent cease-fire.