Hundreds of thousands in London mark 'Land Day for Palestine'

‌Almost every Saturday since the conflict began on October 7th, protesters in London have taken to the streets, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

This Saturday was no different but this demonstration held extra significance.

‌March 30 is known to Palestinians as 'Land Day.' It's a commemoration of events in 1976, when several unarmed Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured by Israeli forces, during protests against Israel's confiscation of Palestinian land.

‌They mark the day by holding protests and vigils and planting olive trees to reaffirm their connection to the land.

‌The protest was organized by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. CGTN Europe spoke to Campaign Director Ben Jamal.

"The Palestinian struggle is rooted in attachment to the land. Of course there is the deprivation of rights but fundamentally it is to dispossession the vast bulk of Palestinians live in exile, denied any access to the land physically, they cannot return to their homes from which their families were expelled in 1948, all my family were forced to flee in 1948, so it's an important day" he said.

UN pass Ceasefire Resolution- will Israel listen?

Saturday's march came days after the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza after several failed attempts. It was the first time the U.S. did not veto the measure - as frustrations with its ally Israel appear to grow.

UN chief Antonio Guterres says the resolution must be implemented. The protesters who marched through London are hoping that growing international unity could bring about an end to the conflict, which has claimed the lives of more than 32,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas health ministry.

One female protestor told CGTN Europe, "I think they took their time, they took long enough. We are there now. However I think Israel will not respond in the correct way. But I think if anything it has opened the world's to the impunity that Israel has enjoyed for so long."

Another said, "We are seeing even right-wing elements reluctantly at least acknowledging the question of genocide. I think that's why people are still coming out and it's forcing people to at least acknowledge that."

The warring sides have stepped up negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, on a six-week suspension of Israel's offensive in return for the proposed release of 40 of 130 hostages still held by Hamas. 

Hamas has sought to parlay any deal into an end to the fighting and withdrawal of Israeli forces. Israel has ruled this out, saying it would eventually resume efforts to dismantle the governing and military capabilities of Hamas.

A Momentum Shift?

Weeks of marches in London, and across the globe, as protesters reiterate their call to stop the fighting - and hope governments and leaders are starting to hear their message

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday