Massive anti-Israel rallies held across Pakistan over renewed war on Gaza

Thousands of Pakistanis took to the streets today, marching across the country to protest the recent Israeli air strikes on Gaza that killed over 700 Palestinians, including children and women.

The protest call was given by the country’s main religiopolitical party, Jamaat-e-Islami.

In Islamabad, the capital, the main rally took place near the Parliament House, while in Karachi, the country’s commercial capital, thousands marched towards the US Consulate to lodge their protest.

A heavy police presence could be seen.

READ: White House: Trump ‘fully supports’ Israel’s actions in Gaza

Similar rallies were held in Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Mardan, and other cities.

The rally in Islamabad was held near Diplomatic Avenue, which houses the US Embassy. In Lahore and Peshawar, the rallies were also held near the US consulates.

The development came after Islamabad “strongly” condemned new Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip, urging the international community to end the violence and resume diplomatic efforts for an “immediate” and “lasting” peace in Gaza.

More than 700 Palestinians have been killed and over 1,000 injured in a surprise aerial campaign by Israel on Gaza since Tuesday, shattering a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that took hold in January.

READ: Israeli strikes in Gaza kill 591, injure over 1,000 in 72 hours