Global rallies mark 7 Oct anniversary as Gaza war’s toll deepens, protests grow worldwide

As Israel marked the second anniversary of Hamas's 7 October attacks with memorial events, large-scale demonstrations erupted across the Muslim world, with protesters condemning the ongoing war in Gaza that has devastated the enclave and inflamed tensions across the Middle East.

In Indonesia, more than 1,000 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched toward the US Embassy in Jakarta, denouncing Israel's blockade of Gaza and calling for the release of activists from the Global Sumud Flotilla, who were detained after attempting to breach the blockade last week.

Chanting "Free, free Palestine" and waving Palestinian flags, protesters demanded an end to Israel's two-year military campaign in Gaza. Authorities deployed over 1,000 police officers to secure the embassy during the rally.

Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, has no formal diplomatic relations with Israel and has long been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause.

The 7 October 2023, attack by Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others kidnapped, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire deals. In response, Israel launched a massive military offensive that has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, flattened large parts of Gaza, and displaced nearly 90% of the enclave's two million residents. International organizations say Gaza is now facing famine conditions.

The conflict has also spread beyond Gaza, drawing Israel into clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthi rebels in Yemen, and militant groups in Iraq and Syria—all backed by Iran, which suffered major losses during a 12-day conflict with Israel in June.

In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned pro-Palestinian university protests planned on the attack's anniversary, calling them "un-British." Writing in The Times, Starmer warned that such demonstrations risk fueling hate speech and antisemitism.

"This is not who we are as a country," he said. "It's un-British to show so little respect for others—and that's before some begin chanting hatred toward Jewish people again."

Starmer's comments came amid heightened tensions following a deadly terror attack on the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation Synagogue in Manchester, where two people were killed and three seriously wounded. British authorities have since tightened security around synagogues and are considering new police powers to limit repeated protests that disrupt communities.

In Istanbul, Turkey's Tourism and Culture Ministry announced that the historic Galata Tower would be illuminated in the colors of the Palestinian flag to highlight the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Turkish authorities also canceled a planned concert by British pop star Robbie Williams on Tuesday night, citing security concerns.