Europe sees pro-Palestinian march

Some 3,500 pro-Palestinian protesters marched through Berlin, according to police, demanding a "free Gaza" and "free Palestine" one day ahead of the first anniversary of Hamas’ attacks on Israel.

The war in Gaza was triggered when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking about 250 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's subsequent military assault on Gaza has killed nearly 42,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's health ministry. It has laid waste to the enclave, displacing nearly all of the 2.3 million population and causing a hunger crisis.

Also hundreds of protesters marched near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, calling for the release of hostages taken by Hamas militants, nearly one year after Oct. 7 attacks in southern Israel.

The march followed a commemoration of the attacks by the Jewish community, where French Jews denounced antisemitism and said a climate of insecurity was worsening in France.

Meanwhile Pope Francis led a prayer service for world peace praying in front of an icon of the Holy Mary traditionally associated with peace.

As the war in Gaza risks escalating into a full-blown regional conflict as the first anniversary of hostilities approaches, Francis has called on believers to observe a day of prayer and fasting for peace.

“Mother, turn your motherly gaze upon this human family that has lost the joy of peace and lost the sense of fraternity. Mother intercede for our endangered world that it may cherish life and reject war and care for those who suffer," Pope said.

In his prayer for peace, the 87-year-old pontiff brought the sorrows and hopes of peoples at war to the Blessed Virgin Mary, praying in front of the ancient icon of Maria Salus Populi Romani.

The war in Gaza has spread through the region, drawing in groups in Lebanon, Yemen and Iraq. Israel has sharply escalated a campaign in recent weeks in Lebanon.