Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have initiated a protest at the University of Pennsylvania, condemning Israel’s ongoing military actions in the Gaza Strip. The activists marched through Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood before establishing an encampment at Penn City Hall. As of now, no arrests have been reported.
This demonstration follows a series of protests across the United States, sparked by over 100 arrests at Columbia University last week when law enforcement attempted to dismantle an encampment.
During a recent visit to the university, House Speaker Mike Johnson faced vocal opposition from students, who called for the resignation of the university’s president, Minouche Shafik.
The conflict in Gaza has intensified since a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties, according to Israeli reports. The majority of those killed or injured are reported to be women and children, with widespread destruction and severe shortages of essential supplies exacerbating the crisis.
After more than six months of conflict, large parts of Gaza are in ruins, leading to the internal displacement of 85% of the population. The UN has raised concerns about the humanitarian situation, citing a blockade on food, water, and medical supplies.
At the International Court of Justice, Israel faces accusations of genocide, with an interim ruling in January calling for an end to genocidal acts and the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.