Nearly 100,000 people in Australia have marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge demanding an end to Israel’s war on Gaza.

Council of the City of Sydney

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

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A large-scale rally in Sydney saw tens of thousands of people march in support of Palestinians in Gaza, despite heavy rain. The demonstration, described as a 'march for humanity,' called for an immediate ceasefire and increased humanitarian aid, citing reports of starvation and disease in Gaza. Organisers also demanded sanctions against Israel and criticised the ongoing support of Western governments for Israel.

The rally resulted in the closure of the Sydney Harbour Bridge to all traffic after a Supreme Court decision allowed the march to proceed. Police intervened at the end of the demonstration, citing public safety concerns. The event comes as the Australian Federal Government prepares to announce its recognition of Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations General Assembly.

Mass Gaza solidarity rally shuts Sydney Harbour Bridge

They gathered and they marched. Torrential rain wasn't enough to stop the tens of thousands of people rallying in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, dubbed a march for humanity. The world are going to see this display of the democratic will of the mass of people. And what we've said all along is even if our world leaders have failed the people of Gaza, they've allowed them to be killed with impunity, the people of the world have not forgotten them. We want to send a message to those people in Gaza as well that we're still with them. Sanction Israel! The organisers' demands for this rally were clear, citing the mounting evidence of starvation, malnutrition and disease in Gaza, a call for Israel to release aid to civilians and an immediate ceasefire. That message resonated with the crowd. What's happening in Gaza, carried out by Israel, is absolutely appalling. And Australia and America's ongoing support and complicity is absolutely shameful, it's disgusting. We need to free Gaza, stop killing our children. And food, give them food, please, give them some food. People are dying, children are dying. It's humanity, we're humans, we have to do this, we have to scream, we have to be heard. Free Palestine! As the numbers swelled, so too did the police presence around the city centre and across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, which was closed to all traffic. The NSW Police had attempted to block access for this rally to march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, but it failed in a Supreme Court legal challenge. As a result, Sydney Harbour Bridge was closed for hours on Sunday. Once the demonstration reached the other side of the bridge, police did intervene, ordering it to turn around, due to public safety fearing a crowd crush. The scale of Sunday's rally shows Australia's increasing support for the desperate people of Gaza. The Federal Government will also announce its recognition for Palestinian statehood ahead of the United Nations General Assembly in September. Recognition may not end the conflict, but for supporters of Palestine, it may influence other countries to join the growing number of Western nations to follow suit. Sarah Clark, Al Jazeera, Sydney.

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Mass Gaza solidarity rally shuts Sydney Harbour Bridge

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