Riyaz ul Khaliq
20 October 2023•Update: 20 October 2023
ISTANBUL
Amid Israeli bombardment of Gaza, mass demonstrations in solidarity with suffering Palestinians began in many Arab nations following congregational Friday prayers.
According to Anadolu reporter, demonstrations were held in several cities of Egypt.
The protesters raised slogans in solidarity with Gaza and against the displacement of Palestinians from the besieged city.
Anadolu reporter from Jordon said thousands of people participated in two solidarity demonstrations with one near the Israeli Embassy in the capital Amman.
A solidarity vigil was held in the Rabieh area in Amman where the Israeli Embassy is located.
Donning Palestinian flags, people took out a solidarity march in the downtown area in front of the Husseini Mosque towards Palm Square.
The demonstrators denounced the attacks and demanded the opening of borders with Palestine.
“With our soul and blood, we will sacrifice for you, O Al-Aqsa," was among the slogans raised by the demonstrators in Jordon, who also demanded that the Israeli Embassy be closed in Amman.
However, Jordanian security forces prevented people from reaching the border with Palestine.
Hundreds of people in Jordon also held funeral “prayers in absentia” for slain Palestinians, following congregational Friday prayers.
In Tunisia, judges observed a “national day of rage” against Israeli attacks on Palestinians across all courts.
They also carried out demonstrations in judicial uniforms in front of the Palace of Justice in Tunis and the rest of the headquarters of the Courts of Appeal, according to an Anadolu reporter.
In Mauritania, simultaneous demonstrations were held in front of the embassies of the US, Germany, and France, rejecting the "Israeli aggression" on the Gaza Strip.
Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Qudra said Friday that at least 16 Palestinian Christians were among those killed in direct Israeli attacks on a Greek Orthodox church on Thursday evening in Gaza City.
Qudra added the death toll in Gaza due to Israel's ongoing bombardment has climbed to 4,137, including 1,524 children and 1,000 women.
The number of injured has risen to 13,300, he told a news conference, adding that over 1,000 others are missing.
The conflict in Gaza, under Israeli bombardment and blockade since Oct. 7, began when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea, and air. It said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and growing violence by Israeli settlers.
The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, along with stepping up raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank.
Officials have said more than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed in the conflict.
