Protesters in Washington shut down streets calling for Gaza ceasefire

Demonstrators in support of Palestine call for 'justice' during demonstration protest

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  Pro-Palestinian demonstrators take part in a protest against the continuing war in Gaza outside Union Station in Washington on February 1. EPA

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  Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed since the militant group Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7. EPA

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  Israeli has responded with a military onslaught in the Palestinian enclave. EPA

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  The rally in the US capital drew protesters from far and wide. EPA

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  Meanwhile, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said Joe Biden's administration must do more to address the issue of the besieged Palestinian people. EPA

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  Mr Austin said in regular talks with Israel he has stressed the need to protect civilian lives and provide humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. EPA

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  Demonstrators block a junction near the US Capitol as President Joe Biden attends the National Prayer Breakfast. Getty Images

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  Protesters in Washington call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Reuters

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  Pro-Palestine demonstrators shut down interstate ramps on the street on Capitol Hill, Washington. Reuters

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  Gaza protests in Washington. The National

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  A person participates in the protest in Washington. The National

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  Metropolitan Police Department officers as members of the anti-Zionist Jews group Neturei Karta join pro-Palestinians people blocking a street close to the US Capitol in Washington DC. AFP

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  Members of the anti-Zionist Jews group Neturei Karta join pro-Palestinians people blocking a street close to the US Capitol in Washington. AFP

Pro-Palestine protesters gathered near the US Capitol on Thursday morning in a demonstration aimed at pressuring the government into supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

Carrying placards calling for the end of US funding to Israel, the several dozen protesters demanded an immediate end to the violence in the Palestinian enclave.

“No peace on stolen land,” the protesters chanted. “Justice is our demand.”

The demonstration took place during the busy morning commute, with protesters aiming to disrupt traffic as much as possible.

Washington DC's Police Traffic account on X, formerly known as Twitter, reported street closures due to the demonstration, advising people to follow police directions for alternate routes.

A large police presence and barricading was seen outside Union Station, the city's main transport hub, where the group first gathered.

The protesters were believed to be marching towards the US Capitol building.

“It feels good to do it mid-rush hour, just to bother as many people as possible and to bring awareness to the cause,” said a demonstrator who identified themselves only as Ashley.

Ashley, wearing a kaffiyeh, has lost faith in US President Joe Biden's administration due to its unwavering support of Israel.

“Democrats are still just as complicit,” Ashley said. “And I think this really just showed that and they have no teeth, and they don't actually care. They say that they do, but they don't and it's just irritating.”

The US is Israel's strongest backer and has sent billions of dollars in support to the country as it continues to wage its war against Hamas in Gaza.

More than 27,000 people in the Palestinian enclave have been killed during Israeli military operations after the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel.