Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators march in London

Protesters call for sanctions against Israel as they march to Hyde Park in UK capital

Thousands of protesters attend a Palestine solidarity demonstration in London on May 22, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza was announced. EPA

Thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors marched through central London on Saturday to protest against Israeli air strikes on Gaza.

Demonstrators walked from Embankment to Hyde Park carrying banners that said “Free Palestine”, “Stop bombing Gaza” and “Sanctions on Israel”.

Some were draped in Palestinian flags and green and red smoke flares were set off during the demonstration.

Groups of police watched as some protesters climbed bus stops and lampposts and wrote “Free Palestine” on walls.

Chants of “Israel is a terrorist state” and “We are all Palestinians” could be heard during the march.

As the crowd reached Downing Street, chants of “Boris Johnson, shame on you” rang out.

A temporary stage was set up in Hyde Park, where speeches will be made this afternoon.

Protester Muktha Ali, 32, from Harrow, north-west London, said: “I’m here because this is now urgent. The Israeli occupation needs to end now – it’s been long enough.

“Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and children have been bombed and murdered, Palestine has to be free.”

Another, named Jake, said: “I stand in solidarity with Palestinians, and so should everyone, no matter your nationality.

“It’s great to see so many people come out in their thousands to support the cause. We will win – our cause will be heard.”

A Palestinian girl takes selfie with her mobile amid the rubble of the destroyed Al Shorouq tower after a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian fighters, in Beit Hanoun, the northern Gaza Strip. EPA

A satellite view of the damage caused by Israeli air strikes in and around Gaza City. Reuters

People salvage valuable items from inside the severely damaged Al Jawhara building after a ceasefire put an end to an 11-day war between Israel and Palestinian fighters, in Gaza City. AP Photo

Mannequins are visible within the rubble of a destroyed Al Shorouq tower after a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza fighters, in Beit Hanoun, the northern Gaza Strip. EPA

A Palestinian girl runs next to her family's destroyed house after a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza fighters, in Beit Hanoun, the northern Gaza Strip. EPA

Palestinians inspect the rubble of their destroyed houses after a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza fighters, in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza Strip. EPA

A child looks at the gun held by a member of the Ezzedine Al Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement, as a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza City. Getty Images

People gather and watch the removal of unexploded ordnance as a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza City. Getty Images

People pass and look at rubble from a previously destroyed building by an air strike as a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza City. Getty Images

Palestinians enjoy the beach as a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza City. Getty Images

People stand atop a pile of debris from a building previously destroyed in an air strike following a ceasefire reached after an 11-day war between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel, in Gaza City. AP Photo

A child has her face painted with the Palestinian flag beside a mound of rubble from a building destroyed previously in an air strike following a ceasefire reached after an 11-day war between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel, in Gaza City. AP Photo

People enter the severely damaged Al Jawhara building to salvage valuable items following a ceasefire reached after an 11-day war between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel, in Gaza City. AP Photo

People take pictures In front of rubble from a previously destroyed building by an air strike as a ceasefire came into effect in Gaza City. Getty Images

People clean the streets of debris beside a building that was damaged in an air strike after the end of an 11-day war between Gaza's Hamas rulers and Israel, in Gaza City. AP Photo

A Palestinian child sits amid the rubble of family destroyed house after a ceasefire between Israel and Gaza fighters, in Beit Hanoun, in the northern Gaza Strip. EPA

While the demonstration was held in relative peace, a few people could be seen throwing objects at police who attempted to split the crowds in Hyde Park.

Gaza medical officials said 248 people were killed during the bombardment.

Health officials said 13 people were killed in Israel in the hostilities, during which the Israeli military said Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other militant groups fired about 4,350 rockets.