ISTANBUL, January 1, 2025 (WAFA) – Hundreds of thousands Wednesday rallied in Istanbul in condemnation of the Israeli crimes against the Palestinian people and in support of Palestine, according to Anadolu Agency.

The agency reported that participants marched after early morning prayers, carrying Turkish and Palestinian flags. The event was organized by the National Will Platform, a coalition of 308 NGOs.

It added that the demonstrators prayed for an end to the Israeli massacre in Palestine before assembling on the Galata Bridge to demand international action against the ongoing atrocities.

Protesters chanted slogans such as "Murderer Israel will be held accountable", as they carried a huge banner reading: "Stop Genocide in Gaza" in Turkish and English, along with Turkish and Palestinian flags.

Israel has proceeded with its genocidal offensive on the war-torn Strip in complete disregard of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ordered Israel in a legally binding decision to halt its military offensive in Rafah, which may violate its obligations under the Genocide Convention.

Israel has been waging a devastating war on Gaza since October 7, killing at least 45,541 Palestinians and injuring over 108,338 others.

Moreover, at least 10,000 people are unaccounted for, presumed dead under the rubble of their homes throughout the Strip.

Palestinian and international organizations say that the majority of those killed and wounded are women and children.

The Israeli aggression has also resulted in the forceful displacement of nearly two million people from all over the Gaza Strip, with the vast majority of the displaced forced into the densely crowded southern city of Rafah near the border with Egypt – in what has become Palestine’s largest mass exodus since the 1948 Nakba.

K.F.