Europe – November 30, 2025 – Tens of thousands of people marched in cities across Europe this weekend, protesting Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza and demanding international action to protect Palestinian civilians. The demonstrations coincide with the United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People and come as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 70,000, highlighting the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict.

Massive Demonstrations Across European Capitals

The protests took place in major European cities, including Paris, London, Rome, Geneva, and Lisbon, with participants expressing solidarity with Palestinians and demanding accountability for alleged Israeli violations of the US-brokered ceasefire.

In Paris, approximately 50,000 people marched through the city’s central streets, waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as “Gaza, Gaza, Paris is with you” and “From Paris to Gaza, resistance!” Protesters decried what they described as Israeli genocide, emphasizing the ongoing destruction of homes and infrastructure despite the ceasefire.

“This is not acceptable. We are still so far from justice or accountability,” said one Parisian protester. Another added, “We, the people, know that this [Israel’s war] is wrong. But why do the people in power not feel that this is wrong?”

Solidarity Movements in London, Rome, and Beyond

In London, organizers estimated that up to 100,000 people joined marches demanding justice for Palestinians and calling for protective measures under international law. Demonstrators condemned Israeli “crimes” and highlighted the suffering of civilians still trapped under siege despite a formal ceasefire.

In Rome, the demonstration was attended by high-profile figures, including UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese and climate activist Greta Thunberg, who have repeatedly condemned the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. Estimates suggest around 100,000 participants marched in the Italian capital, reflecting widespread European concern over the ongoing conflict.

Anne Tuaillon, head of the France Palestine Solidarity Association (AFPS), one of roughly 80 organizations behind the Paris protests, emphasized the need for continued pressure: “Nothing has been resolved seven weeks after the ceasefire. Israel violates it every day, blocks humanitarian aid, and continues to destroy homes and infrastructure in Gaza. We are calling for a permanent ceasefire and an end to the genocide.”

Escalating Civilian Casualties in Gaza

The demonstrations coincide with a rising civilian death toll in Gaza, now exceeding 70,000. Among the latest victims were two young boys, aged eight and ten, killed in an Israeli drone attack in Bani Suheila, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. Alaa Abu Assi, their uncle, described the children as “innocent… gathering firewood to help their disabled father” before the attack.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the civilian casualties and ongoing displacement, stating: “The killing of so many civilians, the repeated displacement of an entire population, and the obstruction of humanitarian aid should never be acceptable.”

Warnings From Human Rights Organizations

Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have warned that Israeli authorities are continuing to commit serious violations in Gaza, curbing humanitarian aid and restricting access to essential services, even after the ceasefire. Palestinians in Gaza remain largely dependent on tents, temporary shelters, and limited medical support, while children are missing educational opportunities.

Al Jazeera’s reporting from Gaza highlighted the daily struggle faced by civilians: “It’s a daily struggle. Palestinians are suffering to get basic necessities; they’re suffering to find shelter. There are still many living in tents with no access to medicine or education.”

European Solidarity as Global Pressure Mounts

For organizers, the demonstrations aim to sustain international pressure on Israel while keeping global attention on Palestinian rights. The widespread European participation underscores growing public concern over violations of humanitarian law and the urgent need for a lasting solution to the conflict.

Francesca Albanese stated that Israel’s actions in Gaza and the occupied West Bank constitute genocide, arguing: “Look at the totality of conduct/crimes against the totality of the Palestinians in the totality of the land slated for ethnic cleansing. Israel must be stopped, and we will.”

The rallies mark a pivotal moment in global solidarity movements, highlighting both the human cost of the Gaza conflict and the international demand for accountability and justice.