Thousands in Muslim countries and beyond demonstrate over Israeli airstrikes

By The Associated Press

Thousands of people in Muslim countries and beyond have held demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, calling for an end to Israel’s blockade and Israeli airstrikes. Demonstrators headed to Israeli military checkpoints after Friday prayers in the West Bank and gathered in Iraq and in Jordan, in locations across Egypt, in Turkey’s most populous city of Istanbul and in Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco and South Africa. In New York City, hundreds held a march, demanding ceasefire. It was a day after a packed pro-Israel rally demanding the release of hostages. A brutal incursion into southern Israel by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7 provoked Israel to declare war against the militant group that rules Gaza.