SEAToday.com, Rome - Large-scale protests were held in several European cities. Pro-Palestinian masses gathered while calling for the liberation of Palestine, while waving Palestinian flags. The protesters also carried banners calling for an immediate end to the conflict.

The rallies will be held until Monday, October 7, which marks the first anniversary of Israel's attack on Gaza, Palestine.

In the northern German city of Hamburg, about 950 people took part in a peaceful demonstration waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags or chanting “Stop the Genocide,” DPA news agency reported.

In Paris, thousands of demonstrators gathered peacefully at Republique Plaza in solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people. Many waved Palestinian flags while holding posters reading “stop the genocide”, “free Palestine”, and “liberate Lebanon”.

In some European cities, the protests were marred by riots. In Rome, Italy, police were forced to use tear gas and water cannons to disperse violent protesters. Previously, the protests in Rome had been peaceful.

In London, thousands of people marched across the capital to Downing Street amid a heavy police presence. The atmosphere became tense as pro-Palestinian protesters and counter-demonstrators, some carrying Israeli flags, passed each other. Scuffles broke out when police officers pushed back activists who tried to pass through the police cordon. At least 17 people were arrested on suspicion of public order offenses, supporting a banned organization and assault, London's Metropolitan Police said.

Besides Europe, rallies were also held in the United States. Pro-Palestinian supporters gathered in Times Square, New York, to call for a ceasefire, chanting “Gaza!” to the beat of drums. Meanwhile, in Jakarta, thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters marched to the heavily populated Times Square to call for a ceasefire, some wearing keffiyeh scarves, waving Palestinian and Lebanese flags, and holding large cardboard images of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with red paint symbolizing blood on his face.

Meanwhile, in Jakarta, thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters marched to the guarded US Embassy on Sunday (10/6). Authorities blocked the road to the embassy with barbed wire and concrete barriers, while more than 1,000 police were deployed around the embassy compound.

October 7 marks the one-year anniversary of the conflict in Gaza, Palestine. Instead of abating, the conflict has escalated, with Israel bombarding Lebanon under the pretext of targeting Hezbollah, which supports Hamas.