Pro-Palestinian protesters shut down London’s Tower Bridge last night by firing flares, blocking all traffic and unfurling a giant “armed resistance” banner, new footage shows. became.
Activists forced police to close the iconic landmark as they marched across a bridge to call for a ceasefire in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
Since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, the Palestinian enclave has been under heavy Israeli shelling.
A dramatic new video was released last night showing a luxury convertible sports car draped in the Palestinian flag bringing Tower Bridge to a halt as the sun set over the capital.
Activists wearing masks and shouting into megaphones also set off green smoke bombs in support of Palestine, completely engulfing the bridge in smoke.
A banner reading “Palestinians have the right to armed resistance” was also hung on the bridge.
Drummers led the march, pounding out beats as demonstrators clapped and chanted “Freedom, Freedom, Palestine.” Although drivers were unable to cross the bridge, City of London Police said no arrests had been made, with assistance from Metropolitan Police officers.
The latest demonstrations since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war saw activists waving Palestinian flags and holding large banners reading “Save Gaza, ceasefire now.”
Demonstrators held umbrellas in the colors of the Palestinian flag and called for a ceasefire. Some held placards accusing Israel of “genocide” and “murder” and marched waving flags.
City of London Police visited X at around 5:40pm yesterday to confirm the incident. They wrote: “Tower Bridge is currently closed due to protests.” Police officers are on the scene. ”
At 6:26 p.m., the force announced the bridge had “reopened” and thanked commuters for their “patience.”
Social media users praised the efforts of the demonstrators and encouraged activists to “block roads until Palestine is liberated.”
Seeds of Gaza, which posted footage of the protest, wrote: “A huge thank you to everyone involved.” [sic]. Historic moment when Tower Bridge is closed. Politicians, you better be careful, because we won’t stop until Palestine is liberated. ”
The dramatic protest was the latest demonstration by activists as Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups continue to clash over the weekend.
This comes as mediators pick up the pace of negotiations on a possible ceasefire that would free hostages held by Hamas and bring some respite during Ramadan to the devastated enclave.
However, while Israel announced plans to expand its mop-up operations to annihilate Hamas, the terrorist organization remained steadfast in its demands for a permanent end to the nearly five-month war, making the prospects for securing a ceasefire unclear. It looked like. .
Israeli forces shelled several areas of the enclave, both in the north, as tanks entered Beit Rahiya and soldiers and gunmen engaged in running battles in Gaza City’s Zeitoun district, residents said. It was suppressed in the early days of the
Doctors announced Sunday that at least 86 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since Saturday. The Israeli military announced that two soldiers were killed in fighting in southern Gaza, and that Israeli forces had killed or captured Palestinian militants in Zeitoun and other areas.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his war cabinet late Saturday for a briefing with intelligence chiefs returning from talks in Paris with Qatari, Egyptian and U.S. mediators about a possible second ceasefire in Gaza. I opened it.
White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN’s “State of the Union” that negotiators from the U.S., Egypt, Qatar and Israel agreed to discuss the basic contours of the hostage deal during talks in Paris. We have reached an understanding.”
Sullivan said the deal was still being negotiated, adding that it would require indirect talks with Hamas by Qatar and Egypt.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CBS’ “Face the Nation” that it was not yet clear whether a hostage deal would result from the talks, and declined to discuss specifics, but added that Hamas is more rational. Said it was necessary to make a request.
“They’re on another planet. But if they find themselves in a reasonable situation, yes, they’ll do a hostage deal. I hope so,” he said.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a senior Hamas official, said Netanyahu’s comments cast doubt on Israel’s desire to reach a deal.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu’s comments show that he is not concerned about reaching a deal,” Abu Zufri told Reuters, adding that the Israeli leader “is not concerned about reaching an agreement” under “(Palestinian) shelling and bloodshed.” “We want to proceed with negotiations,” he said.
According to Gaza medical officials, about 30,000 Palestinians have died in the war. According to official tallies, 1,200 Israelis were killed in the October 7 Hamas attack, and 241 soldiers were lost in the ensuing Gaza ground battle.