It has been almost a month since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, prompting Israel to declare war.
Israeli warplanes struck a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip early Sunday, killing at least 40 people and wounding dozens, health officials said. The strike came as Israel said it would press on with its offensive to crush the territory's Hamas rulers, despite U.S. appeals for a pause to get aid to desperate civilians.
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The soaring death toll in Gaza has sparked growing international anger, with tens of thousands from Washington to Berlin taking to the streets Saturday to demand an immediate cease-fire.
In Massachusetts, there was a Pro-Palestinian rally in Braintree and a Rally for Israel in Brookline on Sunday.
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Organizers within the local Jewish community are calling for unwavering support for Israel, while Palestinians are condemning what they are calling a genocide against their people. Similar to what we've been seeing at these rallies, emotions ran high at both Bay State events.
Those supporting Israel and those supporting Palestinians have both described actions against their own communities as genocidal.
In Brookline, there was music, food and signs flooding Babcock Street on Sunday afternoon for the celebration of Jewish life. The event was also used as a platform to continue a show of support for Israel in its war against Hamas, and it was a fundraiser, too.
“It is our responsibility to make clear to the world that we will not waiver," a woman told the crowd. "Israel has every right to defend itself and to exist as a sovereign homeland of the Jewish people.”
The solidarity walk held throughout Coolidge Corner was in response to the attack nearly one month ago. Some in the crowd disputed claims that Israel's counter-attack in Gaza has gone too far.
"False narrative by those people who claim that Israel is genocidal nation is totally untrue,” said Mark Veksler supporting Israel. "It is Hamas who is genocidal.”
Meanwhile, in Braintree, a pro-Palestinian rally was held on Washington Street.
“Israel has committed outright genocide of the Palestinian people,” a woman told the crowd.
Many there were calling attention to the death of innocent civilians, describing Israel's retaliatory efforts as genocidal.
“Solidarity with my Palestinian brothers and sisters as they are being slaughtered by the Israeli forces right now using American weapons,” said Reem Alzaeem.
Signs and flags lined the street in front of Town Hall with calls for the U.S. to stop providing aid to Israel.
“This is about humanity. This is about standing up against injustice and oppression,” Alzaeem said.
Israel has rejected the idea of halting its offensive, even for brief humanitarian pauses proposed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his current tour of the region. Instead, it said that Hamas was “encountering the full force” of its troops.
On Saturday, the Israeli military and Hezbollah exchanged fire along the Lebanon border. Hamas and Hezbollah are allies, and the leader of the militant group is threatening further escalation.
