Tens of thousands gathered in Washington DC’s National Mall Park on Tuesday to show support for Israel in its war in Gaza, call for the release of hostages and oppose the reported surge in anti-Semitism around the world.

Israel supporters could be seen gathering amid heightened security while waving Israeli flags, and holding pro-Israel signs, such as ‘We stand with Israel’ and ‘Thank you IDF’. “I am here to support Israel, I am here to get the hostages home, and I am here to fight anti-Semitism,” said a protester “I am here as part of SSIAU, a Student supporting Israel from American Universities.

We have a group of students that are here today in support of Israel, in support of our Jewish students, in support of Jewish state against Hamas,” added another. Several progressive organisations in the United States, including Jewish Voice for Peace and If Not Now, have urged for a halt to the ongoing hostilities amidst mounting international opposition to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, the campaign has resulted in the deaths of 11,320 individuals, including 4,650 children. Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping over 200 according to Israeli officials. Israel declared war on the group and a ‘complete siege’ of Gaza, with a large-scale campaign of air strikes.

A ground incursion began at the end of the third week, with Israeli leaders vowing to ‘wipe out’ Hamas. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) claimed that Hamas locations and infrastructure were targeted in the response. However, United Nations experts warned against ‘collective punishment’ for the people of Gaza, before predicting a ‘humanitarian crisis’ and then claimed that ‘hell is settling in’ for the region.