Activists gather near U.S. Capitol to demand Gaza cease-fire

A dozen pro-Palestinian activists gathered near the U.S. Capitol building Tuesday to demand a cease-fire in Gaza.

They held inflatable letters spelling out the words "cease-fire now."

Robert McCaw, director of government affairs for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told Anadolu the U.S. should not support Israel with taxpayer funds and weapons.

"We are here with community members to remind Congress, while they are lighting up their Christmas tree, that we are demanding a cease-fire now," said McCaw.

The activists also demanded Congress support House Resolution 786, introduced by Rep. Cori Bush, which advocates for a cease-fire and humanitarian aid to Gaza.

He said CAIR will respond in protest "once Israel resumes its murder of civilians" in Gaza after an extended humanitarian pause.

The peaceful activists were also blocked by the Capitol police from getting close to the Congress building.

Protests have been persistent in the U.S. since the Israeli attacks began last month.

Meanwhile, a group of U.S. state lawmakers and activists launched a hunger strike outside the White House on Monday. The strike aims to draw attention to Palestinians facing hunger in Gaza and demand a permanent cease-fire.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.