Hours before President Donald Trump announced US airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities on 21/6, tens of thousands carrying Palestinian flags marched in London to protest the conflicts in the Middle East.

Protesters demonstrate against the Gaza conflict in central London on 21/6. Photo: AFP

Protesters demonstrate against the Gaza conflict in central London on 21/6. Photo: AFP

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the devastation in Gaza, protests have been a monthly occurrence in London. On 21/6, demonstrators held signs reading "Stop arming Israel" and "Stop the war with Iran".

"It's important to remember the suffering of the people in Gaza. I'm worried that all the attention is now on Iran," said 34-year-old Harry Baker.

Baker, attending his third pro-Palestinian march, expressed concern that with the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the entire Middle East is "in a dangerous situation".

"People need to keep their eyes on Gaza. That's where a genocide is happening," emphasized 60-year-old Nicky Marcus.

A 31-year-old Iranian student, whose family remains in Iran, expressed fear for her homeland while participating in the London march.

In Germany, over 10,000 people gathered in central Berlin to call for an end to the Gaza conflict. They assembled near the parliament building in the afternoon, chanting slogans against Israeli bombings in Gaza.

"We can't just sit on the sofa and stay silent. It's time for all of us to speak up," stressed Gundula, a protester.

For Marwan Radwan, the protest aimed to draw international attention to the "ongoing genocide" in Gaza.

In Bern, Switzerland, around 20,000 people gathered in front of the parliament building, urging their government to push for diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza war and expressing solidarity with Palestinians.

Thousands also protested outside a defense trade fair near Paris, France, where Israeli arms companies were exhibiting, to voice their opposition to the ongoing war in Gaza.

Protesters march in Berlin on 21/6. Photo: AP

Protesters march in Berlin on 21/6. Photo: AP

According to UN agencies in the region, Gaza faces a food and water crisis due to the Israeli blockade on aid. Gaza's civil defense agency reported hundreds of deaths among people seeking food at US and Israeli aid distribution points.

Israel denies genocide accusations, claiming its objective is to eliminate Hamas after the 7/10/2023 attack that killed 1,219 people in Israel. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has killed at least 55,637 people in the strip, according to Gaza health officials.

The Middle East conflict broadened when Israel launched a preemptive strike on Iran on the morning of 13/6. The ensuing days of fighting have resulted in over 400 deaths and over 3,000 injuries in Iran. Israel has also reported at least 25 deaths and over 2,500 injuries.

The war significantly escalated with Trump's decision to launch airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in support of Israel. On 21/6, the US president announced that the US military had "destroyed" three key Iranian nuclear facilities: Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan.

Iranian officials dismissed this claim, stating that their nuclear facilities were not seriously damaged, and affirmed Iran's intention to retaliate.

Hong Hanh (AFP)