Throngs of 300,000 people rally in London for Gaza, while media spotlight lingers on arrests in Parliament Square

In a heart-wrenching turn of events, 17-year-old local sports champion, Ataf Abu Hatar, tragically passed away weighing just 55 pounds. This shocking case has brought into sharp focus the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where hospital occupancy rates have reached an alarming 300%.

The critical shortages of anesthesia and blood in Gaza's hospitals are causing immense suffering. The region requires 600 trucks of food and fuel daily to meet minimal needs, but only 14% of that requirement has been met over the past ten days.

These distressing circumstances have prompted protests, with approximately 300,000 people participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Central London. The demonstration, organised by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, trade unions, faith groups, and grassroots organisations, demanded an end to the deliberate starvation of civilians in Gaza.

The contrast in coverage between the two protests was significant, with the humanitarian march receiving minimal space while the Parliament Square protest dominated headlines. Journalist and activist Owen Jones addressed the gathering, condemning the UK government's continued arms exports and diplomatic cover for Israel's Gaza campaign.

The march stretched from Russell Square to Whitehall and ended outside 10 Downing Street. Many protesters carried banners referencing recent UN warnings that starvation is being used as a weapon of war in Gaza.

Investigations have detailed allegations of intentional contamination of food aid entering Gaza, which could potentially breach the Biological Weapons Convention and be a war crime under the Geneva Conventions. Over 1,655 people have been killed and 11,800 injured while trying to obtain food since late May, according to Gaza's Media Office.

Activist and author Tariq Younis stated that the media give airtime to the arrests, not the suffering in Gaza or the massive public outcry. The Israeli embassy in London is alleged to have pressured news desks to limit coverage of the humanitarian march.

Notable figures such as Australian artist Banksy and Daniel Perry, the Australian performer who raised a Palestinian flag during a concert at the Sydney Opera House, addressed the London crowd. Perry condemned artists performing in Israel, stating they perform on a stage built over rubbish.

Iman Hillis, a Gaza reporter, described the harsh reality of the situation, stating that a task that once took two hours now takes four days due to malnutrition. Between 200 and 365 people were arrested during the Parliament Square protest.

Since March, 197 people, over half of them children, have died from starvation in Gaza. The ongoing crisis in Gaza continues to demand urgent attention and action from the international community.