Tens of thousands of people are to take to the streets on Saturday in solidarity with Palestine as part of a “Global Day of Action”, which will call for an immediate halt to Israel’s war on the besieged enclave.

In London, demonstrations demanding that Israel end its deadly offensive are scheduled to take place in the ninth National March for Palestine. 

The protests will start from Marble Arch at 12:30pm and march on the Israeli embassy in the British capital, the Palestinian Coalition said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).

It added that the move comes amid Israel’s heavy bombardment on Rafah, in southern Gaza, which has become “a focal point for Israel’s genocidal military operation”.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), a London-based group, has called upon these protests to mobilise people, pointing to a parliamentary session due to take place on 21 February at which MPs will be discussing and voting on whether to call for an immediate ceasefire.

PSC in a press release urged the public to attend Parliament, demand a ceasefire and lobby their MPs on the issue.

“An immediate ceasefire is a simple, absolute necessity. The legal imperative is also clear – the UK must abide by its responsibilities under the Genocide Convention to cease any activities that make it complicit,” said Ben Jamal, PSC director.

He added that Israel’s bombardment of Rafah last week “should be seared on the conscience of the world”.

In January, several countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America signed up to global days of action that will see marches take place on Saturdays demanding Israel end its attacks on the already besieged Gaza Strip. 

UK-based advocacy groups organise the initiative, which took place for the first time on 13 January, ahead of the 100th day of Israel’s attacks in Gaza.

Calls to join the global day of action have been shared widely on social media using the hashtags #GazaGlobal Action #CeasefireNow #EndTheSiege and #FreePalestine.