Hundreds of demonstrators flooded the streets of Jaffa on Friday, demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and expanded humanitarian aid access as concerns mount over catastrophic hunger in the besieged territory. Waving signs reading “Stop Starving Gaza” and chanting calls to save children, protesters voiced anguish over a war now nearing its 22nd month.
“There are lots of children in Gaza hungry. We don’t sleep at night… we are crying all the time,” said one woman at the rally, her voice trembling. “Let them open the crossing, let them enter food.” Another demonstrator, Mohammad Mahamid, condemned the blockade preventing adequate aid delivery: “650,000 children are dying of hunger. This is not acceptable to reason, logic, or human nature.”
The protest unfolded days before planned ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, though previous diplomatic efforts have repeatedly stalled. International aid organizations and rights groups warn that tightened restrictions on supplies entering Gaza have pushed the territory toward famine. Even humanitarian workers now struggle to secure basic provisions, according to recent reports.
With over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza reliant on aid, the UN estimates half the population faces “catastrophic” food insecurity. Israel maintains its blockade aims to prevent weapon shipments to Hamas, but critics argue aid delays violate international law. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly called for expanded access, while global leaders increasingly pressure both sides to agree to a truce.
Though casualty figures remain contested, Gaza’s health authorities report over 38,000 deaths since the war began in October 2023, sparked by Hamas’ deadly cross-border attacks. Israel states its military operations target militants, not civilians, but airstrikes continue to devastate neighborhoods and critical infrastructure.
As protests spread globally, demonstrators in Jaffa emphasized the human toll of the prolonged conflict. “Today we stand to say no to this injustice,” said Mahamid, drawing attention to reports of malnourished infants in Gaza’s overwhelmed hospitals. The outcry highlights mounting frustration over diplomatic stagnation as negotiators prepare for yet another round of mediated talks—a process many fear will yield little without stronger accountability measures.
With no resolution in sight, humanitarian agencies plead for unfettered aid corridors, while protesters vow to continue their calls for peace. “How many more children have to suffer,” asked one attendee, “before the world acts?”
