Demonstrator holding a fake rocket, Oct. 29, 2023 in downtown Beirut, during a rally called by Hamas and Jamaa Islamiyya. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in downtown Beirut on Sunday in solidarity with Gaza, organized by Hamas and Jamaa Islamiyya in Lebanon, as the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its 23rd day.
The war has spilled over into southern Lebanon, claiming dozens of lives on the Lebanese side, notably in the ranks of Hezbollah fighters.
'We share the same cause'
"We are here to support the right to resistance of our loved ones in Gaza. We are also here to recall the unity between Lebanon and Palestine. We are the same people and share the same cause," said protester Abu Ishak al-Makdah.
The crowd waved Palestinian flags and banners of Jamaa Islamiya and Hamas. Many demonstrators wore the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh.
Demonstrator wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh observes a crowd gathered in downtown Beirut in support of Gaza, Oct. 29, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
Youssef Jejie, another protester, accused Israel of having committed "a crime against humanity."
"The whole world can see and hear what is happening in Gaza. The Israelis have killed children, they are bombing hospitals, schools, mosques and churches. The Zionist enemy is killing innocent people. Is it because it's Palestinian blood that's being spilled that no one is showing their support?" he added.
Demonstrators hold up giant Palestinian flag during rally in downtown Beirut, Oct. 29, 2023. (Credit: Mohammad Yassin/L'Orient Today)
No incidents or disturbances were reported at the rally. However, a road accident involving a bus carrying demonstrators left three people killed at Nahr al-Kalb, in the Keserwan region, a security source confirmed to L'Orient Today.
Several demonstrations in support of Gaza have been held recently in Lebanon, notably at the call of Hezbollah, bringing together dozens, sometimes hundreds, of protesters.
Demonstrations took place in recent days in front of the French embassy in Beirut, as well as two violent protests near the US embassy in Awkar, north of Beirut.
The conflict between Hamas and Israel has spilled over into Lebanon, with dozens of deaths on the Lebanese side as a result of almost daily bombing exchanges between Hezbollah and Israel.
The war has claimed more than 8,000 lives on the Palestinian side, nearly half of them children, according to Hamas, and 1,400 on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to local authorities.
