TORONTO-On Saturday night, Phillips Square on Nathan Road was full of Palestinian flags and “Free Palestine” signs. Thousands of people gathered in Gaza to support people.

The protest was organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement. Similar demonstrations have been held in North America and around the world.

In the context of escalating conflicts between Israeli forces and Hamas militant groups, protesters condemned violence and injustice against the Palestinian people.

The tension began in East Jerusalem when Palestinians protested against settlers’ attempts to forcibly deport some Palestinian families from their homes and the measures taken by the Israeli police at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

Hamas launched a rocket into Jerusalem late Monday, triggering an Israeli attack on Gaza. Since then, Hamas has launched more than 2,000 rockets, although most rockets missed or were intercepted by anti-missile defense systems.

Israeli warplanes and artillery attacked hundreds of targets in the blocked Gaza Strip. There are about 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

As the conflict intensified, at least 145 Palestinians and 8 Israelis were killed.

A demonstrator said that he was in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

He said: “We are here to be their voices and eyes, and let the world know that we are here to serve them.”

Dozens of people holding Israeli flags also appeared on Nathan Phillips Square. The police formed a line between the two groups, separating the two groups.

Due to protests, the police closed the streets near Phillips Square on Nathan Road.

-File from the Associated Press