Palestinians Rally Across West Bank Against Israel

Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets across several cities in the occupied West Bank on Sunday to demonstrate against the ongoing Israeli killings in Gaza and express solidarity with Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The largest turnout was in Ramallah, the administrative centre of the Palestinian Authority, where hundreds gathered in the city’s central square, waving national flags.

Protesters carried images of individuals who had either been killed or imprisoned by Israeli forces, alongside visuals depicting the severe hunger crisis currently gripping the Gaza Strip. International experts, including UN-backed analysts, have warned that famine conditions are emerging in the coastal enclave.

Among the demonstrators was Rula Ghanem, a Palestinian writer and academic, whose son is currently detained in Israel’s Megiddo prison. She said he had lost 10 kilograms and developed scabies due to a lack of medical care and food. Ghanem’s testimony highlighted a broader issue, as the number of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel has surged since the conflict began. Some detainees, according to the Palestinian Commission of Detainees’ and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs, were arrested for political expressions posted on social media.

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Palestinians Rally Across West Bank Against Israel
Palestinians Rally Across West Bank Against Israel. Credit: JAAFAR ASHTIYEH / AFP

The commission’s spokesperson, Thaer Shriteh, criticised the global response, saying the international community shared responsibility for Palestinian suffering due to its inaction. One striking display in Ramallah saw protesters dressed as skeletons carrying dolls, representing the worsening plight of children in Gaza, many of whom are now facing acute malnutrition.

Aid deliveries to Gaza remain severely limited, with Israel maintaining tight controls on the flow of supplies. The territory, already under a 15-year blockade before the current conflict, has seen further restrictions since the recent Israeli bombardment began. Humanitarian organisations have reported that the limited food aid allowed in often fails to reach its intended recipients due to chaotic conditions and looting.

Tagreed Ziada, a 39-year-old protester in Ramallah, said she hoped the public show of support would bring attention to the dire situation in Gaza, especially for starving children. Similar rallies were held in cities including Nablus and Hebron, with the Palestinian Authority granting civil servants leave to participate in the protests. While West Bank demonstrations against Israeli actions in Gaza are not uncommon, coordinated actions across multiple cities are rare.

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