Hundreds of people have made their way to the city centre for the first pro-Palestine protest of the year.
Dressed in red, green, white and black, the mass of Sydneysiders gathered at Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon, calling for a ceasefire and an end to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
Many waved Palestinian flags or donned traditional Keffiyeh to show their support, as the conflict between the two nations enters its 92nd day.
“We are all Palestinian,” the crowd chanted back at organisers.
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
NSW Police have said that the protest was peaceful and no arrests have been made.
It’s the thirteenth week that people have made the trek into the city to call for an end to the bombing, which began on October 7 last year when militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel.
Israel responded in kind, launching a sustained bombardment of Gaza, a move that has attracted criticism worldwide as the Palestinian casualty list grows.
As of January 5, there have been at least 22,600 Palestinians killed, including 9600 children and 6750 women, with more than 57,900 injured. Thousands more are missing and presumed dead.
Israel’s death toll stands at 1139 people, with 8730 injured.
After an hour of speeches from Australian Palestinian leaders and those who have had family caught up in the conflict, hundreds took to the streets of Sydney’s CBD.
“One, two, three, four, we don’t want your bloody war,” they chanted as they marched.
An enormous Palestinian flag featuring messages of hope from protesters was also paraded through the streets.
Members of Sydney’s Lebanese community made their presence known, waving flags and signs, after Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri was killed in a drone strike in Beirut.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attack, though there are fears of an escalation in the war if Hezbollah responds.