Thousands gather in U.S. capital demanding Gaza cease-fire

Thousands of demonstrators gathered in the U.S. capital following a Friday prayer to demand a cease-fire in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli attacks.

Organized by American Muslims for Palestine, demonstrators, including women and children, congregated at the National Mall area facing the U.S. Congress.

Demonstrators, many adorned in Palestinian scarves, or Keffiyehs, performed the prayer led by prominent imam, Omar Suleiman.

Carrying Palestinian flags and banners with messages such as "We are witnessing genocide", "End the apartheid", and "We stand with Palestine," protesters chanted slogans like "Free, free Palestine" and "Ceasefire now."

Meanwhile, two congresswomen addressed the crowd from a platform adorned with a large black banner that read: "Ceasefire."

Congresswoman Cori Bush expressed gratitude to attendees, saying: "We stand together, and you are not alone." She highlighted her introduction of the "Ceasefire Now Resolution" to Congress, emphasizing the call for an end to violence.

The resolution urges the Biden administration to call for an immediate de-escalation and cease-fire in Israel and occupied Palestine, along with providing humanitarian aid and assistance to Gaza.

Muslim congressman Rashida Tlaib asserted that war crimes are occurring in Gaza, emphasizing that "genocide is happening right now as people are staying silent." Tlaib called on the Biden administration to take more significant steps toward achieving a cease-fire.

Amid Israeli bombardment of Gaza, mass demonstrations in solidarity with suffering Palestinians occurred in Arab nations and other countries following congregational Friday prayers.

The deadly conflict in Gaza began Oct. 7 when Hamas initiated Operation Al-Aqsa Flood -- a multi-pronged surprise attack that included a barrage of rocket launches and infiltrations into Israel by land, sea and air.

Hamas said the incursion was in retaliation for the storming of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, and increased settler violence against Palestinians.

The Israeli military then launched Operation Swords of Iron against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, along with stepping up raids and arrests in the occupied West Bank.