LIVE: Large Crowd Joins Rally for Palestine in Washington DC

The United States’ Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, intensified his efforts in diplomacy on Saturday in an attempt to garner backing for preparations of Gaza’s future after the conflict. This marks his second urgent trip to the Middle East since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted.

The day following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s pointed disregard of Blinken’s direct caution that Israel could jeopardize the possibility of a future peace agreement with the Palestinians if it does not alleviate the crisis in Gaza, Netanyahu met with high-ranking Jordanian and other Arab leaders in Amman. These officials continue to harbor anger and distrust towards Israel as it escalates its conflict with Hamas.

Initially, Blinken held a meeting with Lebanon’s interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati, whose country is facing severe economic and political turmoil and is also the base of Hezbollah – a group supported by Iran and known for its hostility towards Israel.

The United States is deeply worried that Hezbollah, who has already increased their rocket attacks and attacks on the northern border of Israel, will become further involved in the conflict.

Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, delivered his first significant speech since the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 that triggered the war. However, he did not predict an increased participation of his group, despite stating that they were not affected by the U.S.’s efforts to discourage them.

On Saturday, Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes near the Lebanon border while the militant group Hezbollah targeted multiple Israeli military outposts. One of the outposts was hit by two large rockets.

The increase occurred one day after Hezbollah’s leader, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stated that his influential group is currently involved in unprecedented battles along the border between Lebanon and Israel. He warned of a potential further increase as Israel’s conflict with Hamas, a partner of Hezbollah, approaches its one-month mark in Gaza.

Nasrallah stated that Hezbollah is ready for any possibilities and can utilize them whenever necessary.

In a statement, Hezbollah reported that they launched an attack on six Israeli posts along the border using appropriate rockets and weapons. They also claimed to have achieved direct hits and destroyed technical equipment.

According to the Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV network, Hezbollah launched two Burkan rockets on Saturday towards an Israeli post known as Jal al-Allam in Lebanon. A security official in Lebanon verified that this was the first time the Burkan rockets were used.

On Saturday at noon, a large group of people gathered in central London and proceeded to march to the intersection with Regent Street, ultimately blocking the roadway.

The crowd waved Palestinian flags and lit flares, while some played bongos and chanted phrases like “Stop the ceasefire now”, “From the River to the Sea”, and “Israel is a state of terror”.

The Free Palestine Coalition, consisting of Black Lives Matter UK, Sisters Uncut, and Black Jewish Alliance, planned the event. They stated that they will not accept business as usual while Britain continues to support a genocide that has resulted in the deaths of 9,000 people. The organisers invited bystanders to join them by saying, “Don’t just stand there, sit down with us!”

The police have reported that they are addressing the situation. They stated: “This conduct is greatly affecting London’s normal operations and we are actively working to reopen the road.” A large number of officers have blocked off the area and numerous buses have been halted due to the sit-in, with no space to turn around.

Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, held a meeting with foreign ministers from Arab countries on Saturday to address the increasing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. However, his efforts are challenged by Israel’s demand for the release of all hostages held by Hamas before agreeing to a temporary cease-fire.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, used unusually direct language to describe the current situation in Gaza as “horrific” due to the ongoing escalation of fighting. As essential resources such as food, water, and fuel for vital facilities like hospitals are running low, Guterres called for an immediate cease-fire to allow for humanitarian assistance to be delivered to the Gaza Strip.

“He stated on Friday that the entire population is suffering from trauma and there is no safe place.”

He stated that he remembered the killing of innocent people by Hamas soldiers during their assault on Israel about a month ago. However, he emphasized the importance of safeguarding civilians and civilian buildings. He also stressed that civilians should not be used as human shields and urged Hamas to release the approximately 240 hostages they are holding.

The Israeli military has surrounded Gaza City and is advising civilians to move south in order to avoid becoming involved in the escalating ground conflict.

The Washington Post reports that the ANSWER Coalition Executive Director Brian Becker, along with human rights attorney and Rutgers University professor Noura Erakat, Palestinian writer and advocate Mohammed El-Kurd, and members of prominent US Muslim and Arab organizations, are scheduled to speak at the rally according to organizers.

The rally in Washington DC on Saturday, known as the “Free Palestine” rally, aims to urge the Biden administration to halt its provision of aid to Israel and support a ceasefire.

In the previous month, Mr. Biden unveiled a $14 billion aid plan for Israel, which is the biggest recipient of aid from the US. According to a report from the impartial Congressional Research Service, Israel has received approximately $150 billion as of last year.

A survey conducted by Quinnipiac University and released on Thursday reveals that approximately 50% of US registered voters support Israel’s actions in response to the 7 October attack by Hamas.

Prior to sending in ground troops, Israel utilized airstrikes to heavily damage Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 9,000 individuals, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.

According to Quinnipiac, the approval for Israel’s actions is lowest among Democrats at 33%, voters aged 18-34 at 32%, and Black voters at 29%.

More than half of Americans support increasing military assistance to Israel, while the majority also supports providing humanitarian aid to Gaza in order to help innocent Palestinian civilians.

On Friday, Jen Zwilling, the CEO of Edlavitch DC Jewish Community Center, sent an email to members requesting that they resist the temptation to counter-protest or interact with the pro-Palestine protesters during Saturday’s rally.

The ANSWER Coalition, a march organizer, shared with The Washington Post that its executive director, Brian Becker, expressed that people are horrified by the destruction in Gaza.

“He also expressed dismay about the Biden administration’s rejection of a cease-fire.”

On Saturday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken convened with Arab foreign ministers to explore potential solutions for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Mr. Blinken is limited in his options because Israel has stated that a ceasefire or pause for humanitarian aid cannot happen until all hostages taken by Hamas are released.