Tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators took to the streets of central London on Saturday, calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The march, which marked the first major demonstration since Armistice Day, aimed to show solidarity with Palestinians and urge an end to the violence.

Six people were arrested during the protests, with others detained for setting off flares. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that five individuals were arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred, while one person was arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organization. Additionally, a breakaway group from the main march was detained for search after marching up Whitehall and setting off flares, previously used against officers.

The demonstration coincided with a four-day pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, which was intended to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. However, on the second day of the truce, Hamas announced a delay in the process, accusing Israel of not allowing enough aid to reach northern Gaza. Israel has denied these allegations.

The Metropolitan Police has faced criticism over its handling of the ongoing protests, particularly regarding allegations of antisemitism. In response, the police issued leaflets before the march, warning participants about words or images that could violate the law. Approximately 1,500 officers were deployed to ensure the safety of war memorials and to prevent any further marches on that day.

Protesters carrying Palestinian flags and placards demanding a permanent ceasefire flooded the streets. Some placards referenced the slogan "from the river to the sea," which is interpreted by Israel and most Jewish groups as a call for the annihilation of Israel. However, pro-Palestinian activists argue that it symbolizes the right of Palestinians to freedom, equality, and justice.

Although the temporary truce remains intact, the pro-Palestinian protester speaking at the London march acknowledged the limited significance of the ceasefire in the long run. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for weeks, characterized by Israeli bombardments of Gaza and initiated by Hamas's unprecedented cross-border attack in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people.

The organisers of the protest, estimated to have attracted around 300,000 participants, marched from Park Lane to Whitehall. The Metropolitan Police did not provide an official number for the turnout.

Regarding the police leaflets, Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and one of the march organisers, stated that the police were under "considerable pressure" from politicians to adopt a more aggressive stance in policing the demonstration. He argued that the leaflets did not add anything new, as laws against hate speech and support for proscribed organizations were already known.

This protest marks the first demonstration by the group since 21 October, when a video emerged showing an individual chanting "jihad," causing public outcry. The Metropolitan Police investigated the matter but found no offenses in the video.