Pro-Palestine protestors took to the streets in a 'mass funeral procession' in Newcastle, while a rally was also staged in Durham today (Saturday, March 23)
Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Grey's Monument in Newcastle, before making their way through the city and crossing the Millennium Bridge to Baltic Square, in Gateshead.
The march was styled as a mass funeral procession. in remembrance of all the Palestinian men, women and children who have died in the conflict.
Organised by the Newcastle Palestine Solidarity Campaign, people taking part were asked to bring effigies to symbolise the lives lost - including flowers, children's clothing, shoes, dolls and shrouds.
The protest was peaceful, with one member of the public pictured being arrested as he confronted the marchers.
The protest was one of several arranged in the city since last October.
It comes as the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said today it is time to “truly flood Gaza with life-saving aid”, calling the starvation inside the enclave a “moral outrage”.
Mr Guterres also called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
He spoke on the Egyptian side of the border not far from the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where Israel plans to launch a ground assault despite widespread warnings of a potential disaster.
More than half of Gaza’s population has taken refuge there.
The UN chief said: “Any further onslaught will make things even worse – worse for Palestinian civilians, worse for hostages and worse for all people in the region.”
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Elsewhere today, the County Durham Palestine Solidarity Campaign staged a protest in Durham City.
Demonstrators gathered in the city's Millennium Place, before marching through the city to Palace Green.
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