Hundreds of demonstrators calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict were arrested during a nonviolent “sit-in” on the main concourse of Grand Central Station in New York, a crucial transportation hub.

Banners calling for Palestinian independence and an end to Gaza’s bombardment were unfurled by protesters.

Their cries, “Leave no weapons behind. Enough of war. They punched the air with determination, “Ceasefire is what we’re fighting for,” resonating throughout the station.

The New York Police Department reported the arrest of over 200 protesters, leading to a temporary closure of the station. The anti-war group Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), the organizers of the demonstration, claimed that the number of arrests exceeded 300.

 

The grand demonstration in New York took place just hours after Israel announced an escalation of its air and ground assaults on the besieged Gaza Strip, cutting off communication networks.

 

The recent surge in violence began when Hamas launched an unexpected assault on Israel on October 7, leading to significant casualties on both sides.

Tragically, over 7,300 Palestinians have lost their lives in the attacks, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire in this ongoing conflict.