Millions of people from around the world marched on Saturday, demanding a ceasefire in the months-long conflict in Gaza, including in downtown Los Angeles.
Thousands of people took to the streets in DTLA, demanding a permanent ceasefire after more than 30,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza, including approximately 10,000 children, according to the Hamas-run Palestinian Health Ministry.
“We are five months into one of the worst genocides of the 21st century,” Ahmad Hasan, the organizer of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said to KTLA 5’s John Fenoglio.
Pressure has been ramping up around the world, calling for a ceasefire. Many Palestineans are facing starvation after months of fighting.
“We are asking our government to stop the genocide that is committed by the Israeli government,” said demonstrator Zaid Alshrif.
Those wishes could come true after Israel tentatively agreed to a six-week ceasefire on Saturday, and the release of roughly 400 Palestinian hostages in exchange for 40 Israeli hostages.
With civilians in desperate need of aid in war-torn Gaza, President Joe Biden approved humanitarian aid, with three military planes dropping 38,000 meals. The Pentagon says airdrops will continue for the next several weeks as more than half a million people face starvation.
Many cities around the world saw demonstrations over the weekend, and the French and German governments called for an immediate ceasefire after Israeli forces allegedly opened fire on Palestinians who were waiting to get food. More than 100 people died in that incident on Thursday.
The Israeli government denies the allegations, saying many of those who passed away did so because they were trampled to death as the crowd rushed the aid trucks.
“I am really ashamed of my government supporting genocide,” said another L.A. demonstrator who only went by Randy. “And I’m not one to support a government that does support genocide.”
More than two million Palestinians have been forced to flee their homes due to the continued airstrikes by the Israeli government, which began following the Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas that killed roughly 1,200 Israeli civilians and soldiers.
Many around the globe have been asking for the Israeli government to remove its ban on allowing water, food and medical supplies into Gaza. The only place where Palestineans are able to receive aid is coming from Egypt at the Rafah Crossing.
“We are calling upon our government to cease giving financial military and diplomatic support to the genocide of our families,” said Hasan.