Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters rally in Sask. for second weekend in a row

Pro-Palestinian protesters in Regina and Saskatoon are asking for an immediate ceasefire as the Israeli military continues its nearly two-week siege on Gaza.

More than 1,400 Israelis were killed in Hamas's Oct. 7 assault, and according to the Gaza Health Ministry the latest death toll in Gaza is 4,385, plus 13,561 wounded since Israel declared war on Hamas.

The Saskatoon chapter of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle Eastorganized a protest in Saskatoon Saturday.

"Our aim is to bring attention to the urgent need for a ceasefire in Gaza and to shed light on the devastating loss of innocent lives," said a news release from the organization.

As hundreds of protesters filed into the Saskatoon city hall courtyard, one of the organizers told CBC that people will continue to protest until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.

"This is [the] least thing we can do for the people who get killed every single minute," said Mohammad Abushar.

"There's no food, no electricity, no water, no Internet, so that's the least we can do, and we need to push for the politicians,the government, to push for ceasefire."

For the first time since the war started, aid was allowed into Gaza, with 20 trucks entering on Saturday and more than a dozen on Sunday, but Abushar saidit's not enough for the 2.3 million people who live there.

Muhannad Alzaza, who is Palestinian and from Gaza, said he was at the protest to show support for his parents who live in Gaza. For the first time in days, he made contact with them on Saturday.

Alzaza said he was able to confirm his parents were safe, but "no place is safe."

"Maybe they were safe like maybe 10 minutes ago.I don't know what, after 10 minutes, what wouldhappen to them.I'm always worried about them," Alzaza said.

On Sunday in Regina, protesters convened outside the Legislature. Andrew Stevens, City of Regina councillor for Ward 3,spoke at the event.

"We can't be comfortable simply calling for the safe passage of Palestinians out of Gaza. That will lead to displacement," Stevens said.

"We must aim for the return of residents to their homes with the presence and assistance of the United Nations."

Another pro-Palestinian protest was also held in Saskatoon on Sunday.