More than 1,000 protesters call for a ceasefire in Gaza at Vancouver rally

Upwards of 1,000 people gathered at the Vancouver Art Gallery Saturday afternoon, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people and calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamaswar.

More than 12,000 people in Gazahave been killed since the conflict began last month, according to authorities in the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza. The United Nations alsoestimates1.6 million Gazanshave been displaced from their homes amid Israel's ground assault and airstrikes.

The conflict was sparked by a surprise attack by Gaza's ruling militant group Hamas on Oct. 7, in which Israeli authorities estimate 1,200 people died and 240 people were taken hostage.

Israel then launched a series of airstrikes into Gaza as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed thatIsraeli Defence Forceswould inflict an "unprecedented price" for Hamas's attacks, which prompted an outpouring of grief and ragewithin Israeli society and drewcondemnations from world leaders.

Israel's governmenthas pledged to continue its siege of Gaza until all hostages have been released, even as international pressurecontinues to build for a humanitarian ceasefire.

Speakers at Saturday'srally saidIsrael iscommitting war crimes in its ongoing siege, citing deadly attacks on hospitals and refugee campsover the last month. The UN human rights office has previously said the attack on Jabalia refugee camp may amount to a war crime.

"I'm here today in decolonial solidarity with the people of Palestine and against genocide of any people anywhere," Asheya Kassner, whose maternal grandmother was a Holocaust survivor,said at the rally.

"There's a saying, 'Never again,' about genocide after the Holocaust.... Never again for anyone."

Kassner saidthere needs to be a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and aggressors need to step down.

She also called on the Canadian government to be a leader in human rights, and step up to the plate bycalling for a ceasefire.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has so far refused to do so. He has beenheckled bypro-Palestinian protestersinside a Vancouver restaurant for what he didn't say about the conflict,and scolded online byIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahufor what he did say.

Last month, protesters during another pro-Palestinianrally in Vancouver said they would not stop showing up until the siege ends. Rafif Habob with the Palestinian Youth Movement, who helped organize thatrally, also participated in Saturday's demonstrations.

"This is not an anti-Jewish demonstration.This is an anti-Zionist demonstration," Habob said Saturday. "[Palestine has]been under occupation and settler colonialism for over 75 years now.

"This is exactly what we need in order to liberate our people and have a free Palestine."

Pro-Israel groups are expected to hold their own rally at the art gallery on Sunday.

This story has been updated topresent more context about Israel's response to the Oct. 7 attack by the militant group Hamas.