In a show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, thousands of pro-Palestine demonstrators gathered in London, calling for an end to Israel's bombardment of the region. The crowd, estimated to be around 100,000 strong, marched from Embankment, across Westminster Bridge, and towards Parliament Square, waving Palestinian flags and carrying various placards with messages such as "free Palestine," "stop bombing Gaza," and "end Israeli apartheid."

However, amid the peaceful protest, there were instances of disturbance. A suspect was apprehended on Whitehall after an officer was assaulted, and the injured officer has been rushed to the hospital. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the suspect is now in custody. Additionally, a man who allegedly shouted racist remarks was also detained on suspicion of a racially aggravated public order offense and making threats to kill.

To ensure the safety of the demonstrators and manage potential disruptions, Section 60 and Section 60AA orders were put in place along the protest route. These orders grant police officers the authority to stop and search individuals without reasonable suspicion and to request the removal of face coverings that conceal someone's identity.

During the protest, a police horse was startled by fireworks near the Houses of Parliament, causing it to bolt and knock over a woman. Fortunately, she appeared to be fine after the incident and received assistance to get back on her feet.

The "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" chant reverberated through the crowds, despite controversy surrounding its interpretation. While some view it as a call to end the Israeli occupation of the West Bank, many Jewish groups consider it an antisemitic slogan, suggesting the destruction of Israel by advocating for a state spanning from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman joined those condemning the chant, labeling it antisemitic and claiming it calls for the elimination of Israel. The police have emphasized that hate crimes will not be tolerated during the protests.

In anticipation of the event, the Metropolitan Police deployed 2,000 officers across the city to maintain order. They specifically warned that interventions would occur if the word “jihad” was used by protesters. The term has diverse meanings, including struggle or effort, but also holy war.

Authorities also imposed restrictions preventing protesters from gathering outside the Israeli Embassy in South Kensington. The procession itself covered approximately 2.5 miles, causing significant disruptions throughout central London. The sheer size of the crowd caused delays, with the front of the march reaching Parliament Square while the back was still departing from the starting point.

Meanwhile, the police are actively searching for three women and a man who were present at pro-Palestinian demonstrations and had images of paragliders on their clothing. Paragliders were recently used by Hamas militants in a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in hundreds of Israeli casualties, including 260 individuals at a music festival. In response, Israel carried out retaliatory strikes that led to the deaths of numerous Palestinians.

Overall, the demonstration aimed to send a powerful message of support for the people of Gaza and to urge an end to the violence. While incidents of unrest marred the event, the majority of participants remained committed to peaceful protest, ensuring their voices were heard loudly and clearly.