Pro-Palestine march: Police say they will ‘likely have to use force’ as protesters banned from Cenotaph

Police will likely have to use force at Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest in London and “at times that might look messy”, a senior Scotland Yard chief has said, as officers brace for hundreds of thousands to descend on the capital on Remembrance weekend.

The latest pro-Palestine march through London is calling for an immediate ceasefire in the deadly Israel-Gaza conflict that erupted last month.

The Metropolitan Police has said exclusion zones will be imposed on Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance and other relevant areas, banning those on the pro-Palestine march from these locations.

“I hope we don’t, but I think it’s likely you will see police having to use force to manage some of the situations that we have to deal with. And at times that might look messy,” said Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor.

Police will also have additional powers to search people for weapons amid fears right-wing groups could clash with pro-Palestine protesters. Counter-protesters will be allowed near the Cenotaph, police say.

Key Points

• Police say they will likely need to use force which ‘might look messy’

• Scotland Yard announces ring of steel and 24-hour protection for the Cenotaph

• Royal British Legion backs pro-Palestine demonstrators’ right to protest amid march row

• Far-right groups and football hooligans ‘to descend on London during Palestinian march’

• Pro-Palestine march route: Saturday’s Armistice Day protest in London mapped

Watch: Hundreds of thousands of protesters gather in London to call for ceasefire in Gaza

16:01 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police officers faced ‘unacceptable violence’ and people ‘throwing missiles’

15:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Met Police said officers have faced “unacceptable violence, including people throwing missiles and a metal barrier” at a remembrance event at the Cenotaph,

The police said: “Anyone genuinely wishing to observe the event could do so from behind barriers on the pavement which is open along one entire side of Whitehall. Officers’ efforts are on keeping the road itself clear around the Cenotaph.”

Aerial photos show scale of pro-Palestine protest

15:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Hundreds of thousands of protesters joined the rally in London today.

Two minute silence for those killed in Gaza

15:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

What has been a protest characterised by impassioned chanting has just fallen to total silence for two minutes, Tom Watling reports from the front of the march.

Hundreds of thousands of people, stretching from near Battersea Park to Vauxhall station, were suddenly quiet.

Pictures of civilians killed in the last five weeks in Gaza swept across the screens as people silently wiped away tears. Then a round of quiet applause broke out.

Black-Jewish Alliance say rally is ‘biggest i’ts ever been'

15:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Black-Jewish Alliance said there are “over a thousand Jewish on the Jewish bloc today, proudly in our kippot and kefiyeh”.

In pictures: Hundreds of thousands march peacefully as they call for ceasefire in Gaza

15:18 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza as they walked from Hyde Park Corner to the US Embassy in Nine Elms.

15:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tommy Robinson leads far-right protesters on march around Chinatown

Tory minister slams ‘appalling scenes’, but does not criticise Suella Braverman

15:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Tory minister has become the first member of the government to condemn the far-right activists.

Science minister George Freeman hit out at the “appalling scenes” of Tommy Robinson and “EDL thugs” marching through London.

But Mr Freeman did not address widespread criticism of home secretary Suella Braverman, who has been accused of whipping up the far-right protesters who descended on London.

Writing on X, he said: “Appalling scenes. Armistice Day is a day of peace.

“Remembrance Sunday is a day of national unity to remember the selfless sacrifice of those who have died for freedom.

“We don’t need Tommy Robinson & the EDL thugs to tell us how to ‘honour’ the fallen or ‘protect’ the Cenotaph.”

RMT’s Mick Lynch calls for ‘immediate ceasefire’

15:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Speaking in front of thousands at the march, Mick Lynch of the RMT Union said: “We call for an immediate ceasefire. From Hamas, to Israel, to the settlers.

“We must stop the violence and take the road to peace.

“RMT opposes antisemitism and Islamophobia and stands for respect and toleration of all people.

“We condemn the far right hate merchants and provocateurs like our Home Secretary.”

Husam Zumlot pays tribute to Armistice Day and those ‘still falling today'

14:57 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tom Watling and Zander Butler report live from the scene:

Husam Zumlot, the Palestinian ambassador to the UK, spoke movingly at the march today as he remembered those who “lost their lives in the war” and those who are “still falling today”.

“Today is a very significant day. Today the UK marks Armistice Day. Today we remember those who lost their lives in war and we remember those who are still falling today.

“Today is a reminder for all of us that our history, our history, is connected, is one. Today is a reminder that it is only once the guns fall silent that peace can be achieved. This is why we are here today. To call for ceasefire.

“There are politicians who want to ban marches like this. This has been described as a hate march.

“A demonstration demanding a ceasefire on armistice day was called a hate march.”

“I look around and see Christian’s, Muslims and Jews. Please applaud our Jewish friends who have been with us throughout.”

Update: 82 far-right protesters arrested by Met Police

14:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

82 far-right protesters have been arrested after groups clashed with police in central London today, the Metropolitan Police have said.

Officers arrested dozens of counter-protesters in Tachbrook Street, Pimlico “to prevent a breach of the peace”.

The Met Police said they “will continue to take action to avoid the disorder that would likely take place if that happened”.

‘80 far right counter-protesters' arrested by police near a pub by Vauxhall Bridge, reports claim

14:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The Metropolitan Police have begun arresting a large group of counter protesters gathered at a pub near Vauxhall Bridge.

Reporting from inside the Met Police control room, the BBC claims about 80 people have been arrested on Tachbrook Street.

More have been held inside the nearby White Swan pub along the route of the pro-Palestinian protest, it is claimed.

Why were far-right groups not banned from the Cenotaph today?

14:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The senior officer in charge of the operation to defend the Cenotaph had said far-right groupers would not be banned from the Cenotaph because he thought “they would not cause serious disorder by themselves”.

Pro-Palestine marchers approach Vauxhall Bridge after brief hold-up

14:07 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Zander Butler reports live from the scene:

Police briefly held up pro-Palestine marchers before allowing them across Vauxhall Bridge.

Volunteers from the Muslim Association of Britain shouted at fellow marchers to get out of the road to allow rally to pass through safely.

After a brief delay, police allowed marchers through, with former Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, and former shadow chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell, leading the march.

13:57 , Lydia Patrick

Riot vans approach Vauxhall Bridge

13:54 , Lydia Patrick

Zander Butler reports live from the scene

Over 10 riots vans drive down Grosvenor Road as the march progresses towards Vauxhall Bridge.

The sighting comes after a reported “shift in mood” as two are arrested following clashes which saw football hooligans marching to “protect the cenotaph” launch beer cans and vapes at police officers.

Two arrested as police review footage of Westminster clashes

13:49 , Lydia Patrick

Amy-Clare Martin reports

Police are reviewing footage of angry scenes by the Houses of Parliament which saw football hooligans launch beer cans and vapes at officers.

Hundred chanting “West Ham til I die” were penned in by officers dressed in riot gear as they attempted to surge across Westminster Bridge.

The Met said it was reviewing footage of the clash to identify and arrest those involved the disorder. Two have been arrested so far; one for assaulting a police officer and a second for possession of a controlled substance.

A spokesman added: “The officer is being looked after by colleagues and both suspects are on route to custody at this time.”

Police struggle to contain right wing nationalists

13:41 , Lydia Patrick

Tom Watling reports live from the scene

There has been a shift in mood at the front of the march as the protestors approach Vauxhall Bridge.

Police are struggling to contain pockets of right-wing activists who attempt to provoke surrounding pro-Palestine marchers.

Both sides are shouting at the Police.

Watch - Far-right protesters clash with police as pro-Palestine march moves through London

13:36 , Lydia Patrick

Pictures - Free Palestine protestor mounts a bus shelter

13:34 , Lydia Patrick

Police confirm “no incidents” at pro-Palestine protest so far as officers clash with far-right groups elsewhere

13:27 , Lydia Patrick

Amy-Clare Martin reports

ln a post on X, formerly Twitter, the Metropolitan Police said there had been a “very large” turnout for the pro-Palestine protest, which has remained peaceful so far.

A spokesman added: “The pro-Palestinian demonstration has set off from Park Lane. As expected there is a very large turnout.“There have been no incidents related to this protest so far. The significant policing operation is continuing and we’ll post any relevant updates here.”

Meanwhile officers in Westminster and Chinatown have clashed with far right groups and football fans who have launched missiles at police.

Two marches come face-to-face

13:24 , Lydia Patrick

Tom Watling reports from the scene

Far-right protestors attempt to aggravate pro-Palestine marchers as the two groups collide outside the Duke of York pub in Victoria.

Far-right activists attempt to silence the calls of ‘Free Palestine’ as they yell “Fight for your country you c****” .

One woman calls “do not engage” and Tommy Robinson supporters yell “England, England, England” as demonstrators jeer them from behind the police.

Sadiq Khan: Far-right attacks are ‘direct result of Braverman’s words’

13:13 , Lydia Patrick

Sadiq Khan has said clashes between the police and far-right thugs are “a ‘direct result of Braverman’s words”.

The mayor of London said: “The scenes of disorder we witnessed by the far-right at the Cenotaph are a direct result of the Home Secretary’s words. The police’s job has been made much harder.

“The Met have my full support to take action against anyone found spreading hate and breaking the law.”

Archie Mitchell reports

Calls for Sunak to sack Braverman intensify as far-right protesters attack police

13:11 , Lydia Patrick

Rishi Sunak is under mounting pressure to sack Suella Braverman for stoking tensions over the pro-Palestinian Armistice Day march after far-right protesters clashed with police in London.

The prime minister has so far maintained confidence in his home secretary during a week in which she branded rough sleeping in tents a “lifestyle choice” and attacked the Metropolitan Police as “biased” in how they deal with left-leaning protesters.

But, after branding the Remembrance Day a “hate march” and calling for it to be banned, she has been blamed for whipping up far-right groups who clashed with police at the Cenotaph and threw missiles at officers in Soho.

Labour shadow minister Jess Phillips accused Mr Sunak of “standing by” while the police were attacked by “thugs who followed the whistle of his home secretary”, while Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf called on Ms Braverman to resign over the skirmishes.

“She attacked the police, she said they were biased, she made us and our police less safe,” Ms Phillips said.

Calls for Sunak to sack Braverman intensify as far-right protesters attack police

Yvette Cooper: Braverman should ‘reflect on impact of words and actions’

13:09 , Lydia Patrick

Yvette Cooper has condemned the “disgraceful scenes” during which far-right groups clashed with police at London’s Armistice Day commemorations.

The shadow home secretary, in a swipe at Suella Braverman, said everyone must “reflect on the impact of their words and actions”.

The home secretary has been widely blamed for encouraging the far-right groups by branding pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned for Saturday “hate marches”.

She said on X: “Some disgraceful scenes this morning. We urge everyone to respect the police and each other and exercise calm.“Everyone must reflect on the impact of their words and actions. It is the responsibility of all of us to bring people together over this weekend, not divide and inflame.”

Archie Mitchell reports

Jewish protesters chant for freedom of Palestine

13:02 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tom Watling reports from the march:

Jewish protesters stood outside of Victoria as they held banners which demanded the “freedom of Gaza and all Palestine”.

They chanted: “Judaism is okay, Zionism is no way,” as well as “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”

Hundreds of football hooligans clash with police in Westminster

12:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Zander Butler reports from Westminster:

Hundreds of football hooligans chanting “West Ham til I die” clashed with police by the Houses of Parliament in Westminster shortly after midday.

Around 50 Met officers wearing riot helmets, protective gloves and yellow jackets held riot batons as they formed two lines of defence to prevent the crowd from heading south across Westminster Bridge.

The officers were backed up by three riot vans also blocking the way.

The crowd of men surged forward on two occasions, trying to break through the police, but were held back. As they pushed together, they threw beer cans and vapes, while waving red smoke flares.

Cries of “I’m English til I die” could be heard as some of the crowd hurled abuse at police saying “You’re scum, you’re letting our country down.”

As tensions heightened, talk turned to the idea of marching to Vauxhall Bridge to try and catch up with the pro-Palestine march.

The crowd bearing St George’s flags and Union flags was predominantly male, with a few women watching from the sidelines and no children.

In pictures: A sea of red, green and white sets off for the march

12:46 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

12:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Watch live view of huge pro-Palestine march in London on Remembrance Day

Chinatown skirmish: Officers arrest one man on suspicion of possession of a knife

12:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Officers intercepted a group of far-right protesters and have arrested a man on suspicion of possession of a knife.

The majority of the group have dispersed but officers remain in the area, the Met Police said.

In pictures: Watermelons and ‘Skaters against Genocide’ among Palestine protest banners

12:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Pro-Palestine protesters are holding watermelons that say ‘Free Palestine’, as well as a banner which quotes Malcolm X: “If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people being oppressed and loving the people doing the oppressing.”

Humza Yousaf: Suella Braverman must quit over far-right demonstrators

12:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Humza Yousaf has called on the home secretary to quit for “emboldening” far-right protestors on Armistice Day.

The Scottish first minister said attacks on the police mean Ms Braverman’s position is “untenable”.

He said on X: “The far-right has been emboldened by the Home Secretary. She has spent her week fanning the flames of division. They are now attacking the Police on Armistice Day.

“The Home Secretary’s position is untenable. She must resign.”

Pro-Palestine march begins and hundreds of thousands join rally

12:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tom Watling reports from the pro-Palestine rally:

Hundreds of thousands of protestors have now set off for the pro-Palestine march.

Crowds gathered in Hyde Park as a woman chanted: “Occupation no more, Israel is a terror state, we charge you with genocide.”

The march is set to be the biggest demonstration in a single day over the Israel-Palestine conflict to date.

In pictures: Far-right protesters clash with police as pro-Palestine protesters walk past Cenotaph

12:05 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police facing “aggression” from “significant numbers” of counter protesters

11:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A Met Police spokesman said: “While the two minutes’ silence was marked respectfully and without incident on Whitehall, officers have faced aggression from counter protesters who are in the area in significant numbers.

“The counter protesters are not one cohesive group. There are different groups moving away from Whitehall towards other parts of central London.

“Officers are keeping track of them as they do. If their intention is to confront the main protest departing later today from Park Lane, we will use all the powers and tactics available to us to prevent that from happening.”

Far-right groups clash with police near Cenotaph in counter rallies to pro-Palestine march

11:51 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Far-right counter protesters have clashed with police in London before the two-minutes’ silence passed undisturbed on Armistice Day.

Footage showed crowds barging past police and climbing on bollards on Saturday morning as counter protesters were penned in on Whitehall.

Crowds of men were chanting and climbing on bollards with pockets of disorder breaking out. However silence fell at 11am as two-minutes silence was observed.

English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson as among the crowds gathered on Whitehall after he issued a rallying cry to his supporters to turn out to “defend” the Cenotaph.

Far-right groups clash with police amid counter rallies to pro-Palestine march

Braverman ‘added fuel to the fire’ by calling protest ‘hate marches'

11:48 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tom Watling at Marble Arch

Suella Braverman has added “fuel to the fire” in stoking hate between community relationships, the chair of Friends of Al-Aqsa, said.

Speaking to Tom Watling, Ismail Patel said: “For this march , there is two parts. There is what is happening in Gaza, which is bringing a lot of anxiety and concern. But here, Suella Braverman has really put fuel on the fire of community relationships, trying to delegitimise us as hate marchers.

“The Home secretary’s violation has led to a deflection away from what is happening in Gaza on the ground.

“The situation on the ground is horrendous. We have managed to speak to a few people there. Unfortunately several of the people with whom we were speaking are no longer with us.

“It’s a real unfolding situation happening where we can’t do much to help and that is very disheartening.

“It is extremely difficult to help with this while the situation in Gaza unfolds. It is both emotionally draining and physically demanding.

“Also at the same time, we are very conscious of the risk of putting other people in danger. But we have to carry on.

“It is very telling that nobody today is saying anything about the far-right counter marches today.”

‘We are calling for an armistice on Armistice Day'

11:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tom Watling reports from Marble Arch as pro-Palestine protesters begin to gather:

As the two minutes’ silence began at 11am, a lone man wearing a red, green, white and black Palestinian flag, as well as a red poppy on his lapel, stood in silence at Marble Arch.

He was surrounded by dozens of demonstrators waving flags.

A black sign behind the lone man read “Free Palestine”. Another one, fake blood splotches staining the white sign, read simply: “Stop the Massacre”.

For all but that lone man, the two minutes’ silence came and went without notice. It was not why they had come here.

There are almost no poppies in sight around Marble Arch and along Park Lane, where the demonstrators have gathered. They will soon March to the US Embassy.

But all three organisers of the demonstrations today have been explicit in their respect for Armistice Day, and there has been no anti-remembrance rhetoric this far.

Mustafa Al-Dabbagh, the head of the Muslim Association of Britain, said moments after the silence that remembrance and the pro-Palestinian movement go “hand in hand”.

“We are calling for an armistice on Armistice Day,” he said. “If people don’t understand that, it’s very disappointing.”

As two minutes’ silence comes to an end, tension builds for pro-Palestine protest

11:39 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Zander Butler is reporting from the Cenotaph:

As the Cenotaph service came to an end and bagpipes played, a group of men wearing flat caps and poppies stood outside the Red Lion pub drinking beer.

“Freedom!” one shouted. Others stood around smoking.

Two West Ham fans, wearing poppies and club badges, said it was an “outrage” people were marching for Palestine.

“They need to show some respect. They don’t have a right to do it.”

In pictures: Tommy Robinson talks to police ahead of two minutes’ silence

11:25 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Tommy Robinson was seen talking to police as he arrived at the Cenotaph to observe the two minutes’ silence.

Skirmishes reported between far-right protesters and police ahead of two minutes’ silence- but no arrests

11:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Fighting has been reported as people tried to reach the Cenotaph ahead of the two minutes’ silence.

Video footage shows far-right protesters clashing with police in skirmishes near the Cenotaph.

It does not appear that any arrests have been made yet.

Stay tuned for more updates.

In pictures: Crowds stand in silence at the Cenotaph on Armistice Day

11:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Large crowds gathered at the Cenotaph to observe the two minutes’ silence on Armistice Day.

No disruption during two minutes’ silence

11:07 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Zander Butler reports live from the Cenotaph:

Round the corner from the Cenotaph, loud, clamorous crowds were seen pushing past police two minutes before 11.

One man, standing with a beer can, started talking before the silence but was quickly silenced as he was told to show some respect.

After much anticipation this week, there was, after all, no disruption during the two minutes’ silence.

Afterwards, jeers were heard from people standing with St George flags.

Footage shows far-right protesters barging past police near Cenotaph

10:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A video posted on social media shows far-right protesters barging past police near Whitehall and the Cenotaph.

In pictures:

10:56 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Police officers monitor the crowds lining up to view the two minute's silence near to the Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London.

Live: View of Cenotaph in London as Remembrance Day silence held amid protests

10:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Live: View of Cenotaph in London as Remembrance Day silence held amid protests

Far-right protesters gather at Whitehall

10:50 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Video footage on social media shows far-right groups gathering outside Whitehall just before the two-minute silence is to be held at 11am.

Up to ‘1,500 counter protestors’ including Tommy Robinson gather ahead of pro-Palestine march

10:44 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Up to 2,000 counter protesters have gathered ahead of today’s pro-Palestine march on Armistice Day, onlookers have estimated.

It comes after English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson issued a rallying cry to his supporters to protect the Cenotaph.

Men began gathering at 10am at London’s Embankment, according to anti-fascist group Hope Not Hate, before heading towards Whitehall.

Footage shared on X showed Mr Robinson among crowds of men walking into central London this morning.

Nick Lowles of Hope Not Hate said the police were putting Mr Robinson and his supporters behind fencing on Whitehall, opposite Horse Guards Parade.

Video shows Tommy Robinson and crowd heading to the Cenotaph

10:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Protest organisers “don’t want any flash points” with far right groups

10:22 , Amy-Clare Martin

Pro-Palestine protest organisers have said they trust the police to keep them safe with hundreds of far-right counter protesters expected to descend on London to “defend” the Cenotaph.

Organisers believe up to half a million people will turn out for “one the biggest marches in British history” calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, with a major policing operation in place to keep the rally away from Whitehall and the Cenotaph.

Meanwhile far right groups, including English Defence League founder Tommy Robinson issued a rallying cry for his supporters to stage counter demonstrations.

A spokesman for Palestine Solidarity Campaign said: “We have done a lot of planning with the police and we trust in their professionalism, capabilities and intelligence.

“We want all of our people to stick to our plan. We are going to stay on our route.

“We don’t have any particular fears that we are going to be in confrontation because we think the police will do a good job of keeping the two bodies of people apart. We don’t want any flash points.

“We believe the police have good plans in place to protect what we are doing and also to police the far right.”

10:12 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

New York Times offices smeared in fake blood by pro-Palestine protesters

Watch: Inside Al-Shifa hospital as Israel continues to strike Gaza

10:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour: ‘Remembrance events must be protected’

10:04 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Labour has called for Remembrance events in London to be protected but stressed that those who died in wars “gave their lives to protect British values”.

“And one of those British values is the right to protest,” shadow armed forces minister Luke Pollard said.

Mr Pollard told Sky News: “It’s going to be an exceedingly difficult day for policing in London, though, and we know that emotions are going to be high.

“That’s why it’s important that we back the police today, we lend them our full support, to keep people safe, to challenge hate wherever they may see it, and to make sure that remembrance events can go ahead unimpeded and unaffected by anything else that’s happening in the capital.”

And the shadow minister attacked Suella Braverman for “deliberately inflaming tensions” in the run up to a major pro-Palestine march in London.

“It’s made a more difficult day for remembrance, and it potentially increases the amount of hate on our streets,” he said.

‘We are here for a ceasefire and nothing else'

09:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Brahim Ben, 52, said he is at the protest “for a ceasefire and nothing else”.

“People are here for peace. I cry for Jews who were killed on 7 October and Palestinians killed in Gaza since.”

‘I’ve come here to march for peace’

09:32 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Zander Butler reports from Marble Arch ahead of the pro-Palestine protest today.

Around 40 demonstrators gathered at Marble Arch this morning, with the march set to begin at 12pm.

Friends of Al Aqsa volunteer Omar, 29, said: “I’ve come here to march for peace. There is no conflict between us and people commemorating Armistice Day. We are both here for peace.”

What Armistice events are happening over the weekend?

09:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

A national two-minute silence will occur at 11am.

The Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall will be attended by the King and Queen and other members of the royal family.

Remembrance Sunday events will take place at the Cenotaph in Westminster the following day.

Who organised the Palestine protest in London today and how many people will be there?

09:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The coalition of groups behind the march are the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Friends of Al-Aqsa, Stop the War Coalition, Muslim Association of Britain, Palestinian Forum in Britain and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Trade unions, political groups such as the Socialist Worker and politicians including former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn say they will be attending.

Stop the War has insisted that the focus of the march is on stopping the killing in Gaza.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign says the UK Government, through its “endorsement” of Israel, has been rendered “complicit” in the deaths of people in Gaza.

Organisers predict half a million people will gather in the capital, with police also bracing for huge numbers.

They believe it could be the “biggest demonstration” over the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Iran President Raisi says action, not words, needed on Gaza

08:43 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said on Saturday that the time had come for action over the conflict in Gaza rather than talk as he headed to Saudi Arabia to attend a summit on the war between Israel and Hamas militants.

“Gaza is not an arena for words. It should be for action,” Raisi said at Tehran airport before departing for the summit of Arab and Islamic nations in the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh.

“Today, the unity of the Islamic countries is very important,” he added.

It is the first visit to Saudi Arabia by an Iranian head of state since Tehran and Riyadh ended years of hostility under a China-brokered deal in March.

“The summit will send a strong message to warmongers in the region and result in the cessation of war crimes in Palestine,” Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, who is accompanying Raisi, was quoted as saying by the Padolat government website.

“America says it doesn’t want an expansion of the war and has sent messages to Iran and several countries [to this effect]. But these statements are not consistent with America’s actions,” Raisi said in the televised comments at Tehran airport.

“The war machine in Gaza is in the hands of America, which is preventing a ceasefire in Gaza and expanding the war. The world must see the true face of America,” Raisi said.

Al-Shifa hospital under ceaselesss bombardment overnight

08:22 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

This video posted by Gaza’s Advocacy Officer in Gaza shows scenes from Al-Shifa hospital on Friday night as it was subjected to ceaseless bombardment.

Pro-Palestine march route: Saturday’s Armistice Day protest in London mapped

08:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

The march’s route will take activists from the Marble Arch corner of Hyde Park at approximately 12pm on Saturday, head south through the capital down the Vauxhall Bridge Road and cross the River Thames en route to the US Embassy on Nine Elms Lane in opposition to US president Joe Biden’s unwavering support for the Israeli military’s response to the Hamas attacks.

Saturday’s pro-Palestine march through London mapped

Inside the most aggressive West Bank land grab in 50 years

07:36 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Bel Trew visits villages in the occupied West Bank and hears harrowing tales of settler violence in which Palestinian families describe being forced from their homes – in what human rights groups say is the single biggest land grab since Israel captured the region in 1967:

The man in Israeli military uniform sliced off Mohamed’s clothes with a knife, urinated on him, and then, after relentlessly beating him, tried to rape him with a stick. He details the assault that took place in the village of Wadi al-Siq, about 20 miles northeast of Jerusalem in the occupied West Bank.

Inside the most aggressive West Bank land grab in more than 50 years

Israel revises death toll from Hamas attack to 1,200

06:59 , Andy Gregory

The death toll from Hamas’s brutal attack on 7 October had been revised to around 1,200, down from a previous government estimate of 1,400, Israel’s foreign ministry has said.

“Around 1,200 is the official number of victims of the October 7 massacre,” spokesperson Lior Haiat said in a statement.

The figure was updated on Thursday, Mr Haiat said. He did not provide a reason for the revision.

The death count, which includes foreigners, “is not a final number. It [is] an updated estimate. It might change when [they] identify all the bodies,” Mr Haiat said.

Israeli media advocacy group says outlets’ denials of advance knowledge of Hamas attack are ‘adequate’

06:01 , Andy Gregory

The executive director of Israeli media advocacy group HonestReporting has said he accepts as “adequate” denials by four major media organisations that they had no previous knowledge of the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, adding he was “so relieved”.

Reuters, the Associated Press, CNN and The New York Times issued adamant denials after HonestReporting published an article on Thursday questioning whether Palestinian photojournalists had tipped off the four outlets, which had used their images.

HonestReporting’s Gil Hoffman told Reuters his organisation had not claimed to know that there had been any prior knowledge by the news groups of the Hamas attack.

“I was so relieved when all four of the media organisations said they didn’t have prior knowledge,” Mr Hoffman said. “We raised questions, we didn’t give answers,” he added. “I still very much think that the questions were legitimate and the answers were adequate from the media organisations themselves.”

Lost contact with staff at Al Shifa hospital, says MSF

05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The Canadian wing of Doctors Without Borders said it had lost contact with its medical staff at the Al Shifa hospital following an air strike.

“We are currently unable to contact any of our staff inside Al Shifa hospital. We are extremely concerned about the safety of patients and the medical staff,” the non-profit wrote in a post on X.

“Patients are still in the hospital, some in critical condition and unable to move, there are caretakers still inside the facility.

“We urgently reiterate our calls to stop the attacks against hospitals and for the protection of medical facilities, medical staff and patients.”

British journalist 'forced out of pub' over Palestinian flag

05:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Journalist Ash Sarkar said she and her friends were forced out of a pub by men who were threatening them with violence for wearing a Palestinian scarf and carrying a Palestinian flag.

“Just been forced out of a pub by men threatening me and my friends with violence, and hurling abuse,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Staff were very apologetic about it, but the fact is the media and politicians have whipped up a frenzy of hate.”

She said one of the men threatening them had been “waving around a copy of the Evening Standard which had an image of a poppy at odds with a Palestinian flag”.

“When he saw my friends, he accused them of spitting in the face of people who fought for this country,” she said.“

Others joined in. There was also a distinct undertone of racism,” she added.

Macron urges Sunak and Biden to join calls for ceasefire

05:02 , Andy Gregory

Israel must stop bombing Gaza and killing civilians, Emmanuel Macron has told the BBC in an interview published late on Friday.

The French president said there was “no justification” for the bombing and saying a ceasefire would benefit Israel.

He said that France “clearly condemns” the “terrorist” actions of Hamas, but that while recognising Israel’s right to protect itself, “we do urge them to stop this bombing” in Gaza.

When asked if he wanted other leaders – including in the United Sates and Britain – to join his calls for a ceasefire, Macron said: “I hope they will.”

At least 35 Palestinian journalists killed in Israel’s war on Hamas

04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The last month of Israel’s invasion of Gaza has been the deadliest yet for journalists in more than 30 years.

Retaliatory strikes in the wake of Hamas attacks on 7 October have killed at least 35 Palestinian journalists and media workers, as of 10 November, marking the deadliest period for the press since the Committee to Protect Journalists began documenting the killing of journalists in 1992.

Within the past month, Gaza journalists have also reported violent threats, arrests and cyberattacks, while Israel’s ongoing bombardments have destroyed offices and homes, and food and water shortages and power and communications outages have compounded a growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

Alex Woodward reports.

The ‘unprecedented’ death toll among Gaza’s journalists

Death toll in Gaza crosses 11,000

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

More than 11,070 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Another 2,650 people have been reported missing.

US secretary of state Antony Blinken said on Friday that “far too many” Palestinians have died and suffered. While recent Israeli steps to try to minimise civilian harm are positive, he said, they are not enough.

Assistant secretary of state Barbara Leaf told American lawmakers this week that it was “very possible” the death toll was even higher than the Gaza health ministry’s tally.

At least 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mainly in the initial Hamas attack, and 41 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground offensive began, Israeli officials said.

The foreign ministry had previously estimated the civilian death toll at 1,400, and gave no reason on Friday for the revision.

20 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are no longer functioning, says WHO

04:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The World Health Organisation said that 20 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are no longer functioning, including a pediatric hospital that stopped operations after a reported Israeli strike in the area.“If there is a hell on earth today, its name is northern Gaza,” the UN humanitarian agency spokesperson, Jens Laerke, told reporters in Geneva.More than two-thirds of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million have fled their homes since the war began. In the south, they’re crowded into shelters with dwindling supplies of food and water as the war enters its second month.

Northern Ireland journalist lambasts Braverman over Palestine ‘hate marches’ comments

04:01 , Andy Gregory

Health workers forced to leave as Al Shifa hospital in Gaza hit in air strike

03:14 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A missile landed in the courtyard of Al Shifa, the enclave’s biggest hospital, in the early hours of Friday, damaging the Indonesian Hospital and reportedly setting fire to the Nasser Rantissi paediatric cancer hospital.

Israel’s military said that a misfired projectile launched by Palestinian militants in Gaza had hit Shifa.“Israel is now launching a war on Gaza City hospitals,” said Mohammad Abu Selmeyah, director of Al Shifa hospital.

“We are extremely disturbed by reports of airstrikes in the vicinity of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza,” wrote Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation.

He continued: “Many health workers we were in contact with have been forced to leave the hospital in search of safety.“

Others report being unable to move due to grave insecurity. Many of the thousands sheltering at the hospital are forced to evacuate due to security risks, while many still remain there.”

The UN body documented five attacks on five hospitals in one day in Gaza, he said, adding that in “the past 48 hours alone, four hospitals have been put out of action”.

03:02 , Andy Gregory

A former Royal Marines Commando has asked “who cares” if people protest for Palestine on Remembrance weekend so long as the minute’s silence is respected.

Ben McBean, from Plymouth, managed to recover from stepping on a Taliban landmine in 2008. 12 months later he ran the London Marathon despite losing two of his limbs. He did it again the year after.

Asked about his Remembrance Day plans, he told The Independent: “I don’t know what I’m going to do. For me as a veteran, it’s the one time I can meet up with 10,000 people who are in the same boat as me.

“I can’t just go there to pay my respects because it always turns into a massive blowout. Lots of s*** goes on after and people let it all out. I don’t think I can spend the entire week after picking up the pieces.”

On the planned pro-Palestinian march on Saturday, he said: “Apparently it’s nowhere near where the Cenotaph is. If protesters start kicking off in the middle of our minute’s silence then, yeh, that is out of order but if they are just stood there then who cares?”

‘The act of remembering has got lost’: Veterans on protest and attending the Cenotaph

Macron demands Israel stops killing women and babies in Gaza

02:44 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Israel must stop bombing Gaza and killing women and babies, says French president Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Macron said there was “no justification” for the continued bombing of the enclave, which Palestinian health officials claim has killed more than 11,000 people.

He told the BBC that although France “clearly condemns” the 7 October “terrorist” attacks on Israel by Hamas and recognised Israel’s right to defend itself, “we do urge them to stop this bombing.”

Graeme Massie reports.

Macron demands Israel stops killing women and babies in Gaza bombings

IDF spokesperson denies firing on hospitals but ‘will do what we need to do'

02:03 , Andy Gregory

Airstrikes hit at or close to four hospitals and a school today, Palestinian officials in Hamas-run Gaza have said.

That included hitting the courtyard and the obstetrics department of al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest, where tens of thousands of people are sheltering, according to the health ministry. Videos posted online appeared to show screaming and bloodied people, including children, in the grounds of al-Shifa.

Israeli army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht told an evening briefing that the army “does not fire on hospitals”, adding: “If we see Hamas terrorists firing from hospitals we’ll do what we need to do. We’re aware of the sensitivity [of hospitals], but again, if we see Hamas terrorists, we’ll kill them.

“We’re not dropping bombs right now on Shifa or Rantisi,” he added. When asked if there was a plan to deal with patients in the hospitals, including people who can’t walk or are on drips, Lt Col Hecht said: “We’re saying to Hamas to move people south.”

Israeli officials have repeatedly said they believe Hamas headquarters is in al-Shifa hospital’s basement. Hospital officials have denied this. Chris Stevenson has the full report:

‘Intense violence’ around north Gaza hospitals causing thousands to flee

Watch: Piers Morgan conducts powerful interview with Palestinian doctor

02:02 , Andy Gregory

Braverman ‘fanning flames of hate’ towards Muslims over march row, cross-party MPs warn

01:01 , Andy Gregory

Suella Braverman has been accused of “fanning the flames of hate” towards Muslims after her attacks on pro-Palestine rallies prompted a furious outcry over concerns she is fuelling “hatred and division”.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, a cross-party committee of MPs, hit out at the home secretary’s rhetoric, which has seen her describe the demonstrations as “hate marches”, warning she is “inspiring far-right” to engage in Islamophobia.

Our race correspondent Nadine White has the full report:

Braverman ‘fanning flames of hate’ towards Muslims over march row, MPs warn

Military top brass turn on Suella Braverman over pro-Palestine march ban row

Friday 10 November 2023 23:59 , Andy Gregory

Top military brass have backed the right for pro-Palestine demonstrators to march through London on Saturday after an extraordinary political row erupted over whether the protest should be banned.

Military chiefs have insisted those who fought for Britain “did so to protect our freedoms”, warning it would be a mistake to ban the event.

The former head of the British Army and a former chief of UK forces were among those urging people to resist attempts to inflame divisions after Suella Braverman described the rallies as “hate marches” and accused the police of favouring left-wing groups over right.

General Sir Richard Barrons, former director of operations for the UK armed forces, called for “calm and cool heads”, telling The Independent it should be possible to “deconflict” Saturday’s events by keeping protests separate from Armistice Day commemorations.

Our social affairs correspondent Holly Bancroft and crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin have more:

Military top brass turn on Suella Braverman over pro-Palestine march ban row

‘Intense violence’ around north Gaza hospitals causing thousands to flee

Friday 10 November 2023 23:11 , Andy Gregory

Thousands of Palestinians sheltering from Israel’s war on Hamas at Gaza City’s largest hospital have fled south as explosions and “intense violence” were reported at or around the compound and other medical facilities.

The Israeli military said that 100,000 people have moved from the north to the south of Gaza in the last couple of days, with forces operating “deep in Gaza City”.

The World Health Organisation said colleagues had reported “intense violence” at al-Shifa hospital, the territory’s largest, and “significant bombardment” around Nasser Rantissi hospital.

The search for safety across Strip has grown desperate as Israel intensified its assault on the territory’s largest city.

Our international editor Chris Stevenson has more in this report:

‘Intense violence’ around north Gaza hospitals causing thousands to flee

Are protests putting veterans off attending the Cenotaph this weekend?

Friday 10 November 2023 22:32 , Andy Gregory

Fears over far-right groups and pro-Palestinian protesters clashing this weekend have left some veterans making the decision to stay away from Remembrance Sunday at the Cenotaph in London.

Liz McConaghy, now 41, was the longest-serving female crewman on the Royal Air Force Chinook Fleet. She evacuated thousands of soldiers out of Afghanistan in her 17-year career and has now decided to skip the event.

“I think it is still divided with the veterans. Lots of people are going to stand their ground. I think a lot will go just to prove a point but it should be about remembering,” she told The Independent.

“I think people need to go for the right reasons. We can see everything that has been going on in London this week and we just feel a bit abandoned by our country. It’s our one day of the year and it is time to get behind us. We all feel a bit abandoned and disillusioned this week.”

My colleague Barney Davis has the full report:

‘The act of remembering has got lost’: Veterans on protest and attending the Cenotaph

Braverman claimed to have given ‘full backing’ for police in meeting with Met chief

Friday 10 November 2023 22:01 , Andy Gregory

Suella Braverman expressed her “full backing” for the police in a meeting on Friday with Metropolitan Police chief Sir Mark Rowley, a source close to the home secretary has claimed.

As the home secretary faces widespread calls for Rishi Sunak to sack her over comments she wrote in The Times accusing police of bias, the source said: “The home secretary and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police met this afternoon to discuss the policing of demonstrations to be held tomorrow, on Armistice Day.

“The Commissioner outlined plans to continue working to maintain public order, ensure compliance with the law and maintain the safety of participants, police officers and the general public.

“The home secretary emphasised her full backing for the police in what will be a complex and challenging situation and expressed confidence that any criminality will be dealt with robustly.”

Remembrance weekend should be ‘moment of unity’, says Sunak

Friday 10 November 2023 21:28 , Andy Gregory

Rishi Sunak has said that Remembrance weekend should be a “moment of unity, of our shared British values and of solemn reflection”.

“This weekend people across the United Kingdom will stand together in quiet reflection to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” the PM said in a statement.

“Veterans, loved ones of those who gave their lives for their country and many more of us will want to honour this moment. This act of remembrance is fundamental to who we are as a country and I want to reassure those wishing to pay their respects, attend services and travel that they can and should do so.

“Following my meeting with the Metropolitan Police Commissioner earlier this week, and the Government’s engagement with police forces around the country, the police assure us they are taking all steps to ensure Remembrance services are safeguarded from any protests.

“Protests will only be permitted far away from Remembrance events, and the Cenotaph in Whitehall, the abiding symbol of Remembrance, has been placed in an exclusion zone and will be guarded around the clock to protect it for those travelling to pay their respects.

“We have also taken steps to ban a number of protests planned for train stations, which were only designed to disrupt and intimidate. It is because of those who fought for this country and for the freedom we cherish that those who wish to protest can do so, but they must do so respectfully and peacefully.

“Remembrance weekend is sacred for us all and should be a moment of unity, of our shared British values and of solemn reflection. Above all, this weekend should be about the selfless bravery of our armed forces. We shall remember them.”

Tory MPs ‘tearing strips off each other’ in leaked WhatsApp row over Suella Braverman

Friday 10 November 2023 21:01 , Andy Gregory

A furious row has erupted among Tory MPs in disagreement over home secretary Suella Braverman’s comments accusing police of bias towards different groups of protesters, WhatsApp messages leaked to Sky News show.

The spat began on Wednesday night, when Sir John Hayes wrote in a Tory WhatsApp group that it was “so sad to see protests being allowed on the remembrance weekend”, adding: “Wholly inapproriate (sic)... and we should speak for the law abiding, patriotic majority by saying so.”

But Tory grandee Sir Bernard Jenkin received the support of colleagues including Sir Bob Neill, Tim Loughton, William Wragg and others, after writing the following morning: “Am I the only Conservative MP who thinks it is most unfortunate that Chief of Met Police is being placed under public pressure from the government, which threatens to compromise public confidence in his operational independence?”

As the row intensified and multiple MPs involved made public comments expressing their concerns over Ms Braverman’s remarks, Tory MP Karl McCartney wrote to say they would be getting “Christmas cards from Yvette Cooper”, Labour’s shadow home secretary, adding menacingly: “You stretch our patience.”

Jill Mortimer later vaguely accused colleagues of being “untrustworthy disgraceful leakers”, after which point, Mr Wragg wrote: “I’ve had enough of this rubbish.”

Family reveals heartbreak over son who dived on Hamas grenade to save his fiancée

Friday 10 November 2023 20:25 , Andy Gregory

Netta Epstien was just a month shy of his 22nd birthday when he was killed by Hamas.

No-one knows if it was the exploding grenade the young man had thrown himself on to protect his fiancé or the bullets Hamas intruders fired at him that ended his life.

Earlier that day, on 7 October, roughly 250 Hamas militants had crossed over the seven-metre fence surrounding Gaza and rushed the four miles to the nearby Israeli kibbutz, Kfar Azar.

Netta and his fiance, Irene Shavit, 22, were hiding in their safe room when they heard the first signs of Hamas militants inside their small home at 11.30am.

Ms Shavit and Netta’s mother Ayalet Epstein, 50, spoke to The Independent on Friday, a day after their fiance and son would have celebrated his turning 22:

Family reveals heartbreak over son who dived on Hamas grenade to save his fiancée

Former top civil servant unable to see how Sunak has confidence in Braverman

Friday 10 November 2023 20:01 , Andy Gregory

The former top civil servant in the Home Office has said he does not understand how Rishi Sunak could continue to have confidence in Suella Braverman after her claims of police bias over pro-Palestine protests.

Sir David Normington, who was permanent secretary in the Home Office from 2005 until 2011, told BBC Radio 4: “There are 2,000 ordinary police officers who will be on the streets doing a very difficult job this weekend.

“They have the right to expect the Home Secretary to be supporting them. Instead, she seems to be undermining them and actually making things worse. And that’s just not the job of the home secretary. I hear the prime minister has confidence in her. I don’t know how he can.”

The ex-mandarin said he “despaired” about her piece for The Times, adding: “She’s tried to interfere with the operational independence of the police. She’s accused them of partiality in the way they police demonstrations. She’s used inflammatory language. She’s even made some absolutely crass comments and comparisons about Northern Ireland.

“That’s at least four reasons why she’s unsuitable to be home secretary.”

Scotland Yard doing ‘everything in our power’ to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe

Friday 10 November 2023 19:38 , Andy Gregory

The Metropolitan Police is doing “everything” in its power to ensure Jewish Londoners feel safe during Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We’ve got a policing operation that is double the size of the first weekend. We’ve got nearly 1,850 officers working on Saturday, 1,350 working on Sunday.

“I’ve used all of the powers that are available to me to use over the weekend to limit the impact, to manage the impact, whilst people go about their lawful business and their right to protest.

“So for the Jewish communities in particular, we are engaged, we are absolutely aware of the fear and concerns and we are doing everything in our power to ensure that they are safe, and they must feel safe.

“But if people are frightened, or see things that they’re frightened of, they must report it to us so we can respond.”

‘Unacceptable' for Braverman ‘to tamper with police independence’

Friday 10 November 2023 19:20 , Andy Gregory

It is unacceptable for Suella Braverman “to publicly attempt to tamper with the operational independence of policing”, the Police Federation has warned.

Steve Hartshorn, national chairman of the Police Federation of England and Wales, which represents rank and file officers, said operational policing decisions must remain independent of political interference.

“It is entirely reasonable that the home secretary might raise concerns with senior police leaders in private, it is unacceptable to publicly attempt to tamper with the operational independence of policing,” he said.

“Policing must be free of politics. Operational independence is a key pillar of UK policing and must be respected. Policing does not comment on political manoeuvrings, and we expect to be able to carry out our duties without political interference.”

Counter-protesters will be allowed near Cenotaph, Met says

Friday 10 November 2023 18:58 , Andy Gregory

Counter protesters to the pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday will be allowed into the area around the Cenotaph, the Metropolitan Police has said.

Large numbers of counter protesters are expected in the capital in response to the decision to hold the march on Armistice Day. An exclusion zone will be put in place covering Whitehall and the Cenotaph to prevent demonstrators on the march from entering the locations.

Speaking at a media briefing, deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor said the Met had information that “large numbers of counter protesters will be coming to London with a view to confronting those taking place in the main march”.

Asked why counter protesters would be allowed around the monument, Mr Taylor said the force “don’t anticipate any disorder will come from that group” individually.

Police will likely need to use force that ‘might look messy’ this weekend

Friday 10 November 2023 18:39 , Andy Gregory

Metropolitan Police officers will likely have to use force that “might look messy” at the pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday, deputy assistant commissioner Laurence Taylor has said.

Speaking at a media briefing, he said: “The objective of policing is to use the least intrusive force possible to achieve an end.

“There will be times this weekend where you see pockets of confrontation, despite the conditions and everything I’ve put in place to manage that.

“You will see police intervention, and I hope we don’t but I think it’s likely you will see police having to use force to manage some of the situations that we have to deal with, and at times that might look messy.

“That doesn’t equate to serious disorder or to us losing control, but it does mean that we are taking robust, rapid and agile action to deal with what we are dealing with.”

Mr Taylor did confirm the march organisers, Palestine Solidarity Campaign, had changed their original route to avoid the ‘Remembrance footprint’ within Whitehall.

‘Difficult and complex work’: British hostage crisis experts in Israel to help efforts to free Hamas captives

Friday 10 November 2023 18:24 , Andy Gregory

Intense international negotiations are taking place involving diplomats, intelligence services and specialist security companies in attempts to free hostages being held in Gaza, with the most ferocious part of Israel’s offensive against Hamas due to unfold.

Highly experienced British hostage crisis experts are part of a team, The Independent has learned, in Israel and the wider region to assist in the mission and help families to be reunited with relations of the 240 people who were abducted in the cross-border raid on 7 October.

A British hostage crisis operative, currently in Israel, said: “This is very difficult and complex work, having to take place in the middle of very heavy kinetic activity, with the hostages in close proximity.

“They are being held in places which are likely to be affected by military action which is ratcheting up. So speed is obviously of great essence, but there are geopolitical considerations, which means a lot of factors are at play.”

Our world affairs editor Kim Sengupta reports from Tel Aviv:

British hostage crisis experts in Israel to help efforts to free Hamas captives

NHS medics hold Downing Street vigil for colleagues in Gaza

Friday 10 November 2023 17:57 , Andy Gregory

Hundreds of medical professionals are gathering outside Downing Street to hold a vigil for medics killed in Gaza.

Demonstrators are holding placards with the names of those killed during Israel’s intense bombardment of the strip since 7 October, and will be holding a minute’s silence.

Dr Omar Abdel-Mannan, whose group Gaza Medic Voices publishes firsthand accounts from medical staff in Gaza told the BBC from Downing Street: “We have organised this vigil. We are a collective of healthcare professionals – nurses, doctors, surgeons, paramedics, physios – from every walk of the NHS and every walk of life within the NHS.

“We are congregating today because our unified message is that it is unacceptable for healthcare workers in Gaza to be attacked and be killed. We have lost almost 200 of our colleagues – our brothers, our friends, our sisters – in Gaza who work in the healthcare field.

“It is horrific and it is frankly unimagineable to work in those conditions ... Enough is enough. A ceasefire needs to happen now. This is unacceptable. The situation is catastrophic. The healthcare system has collapsed.”

Senior Met officer refuses to say whether Braverman’s remarks undermined force

Friday 10 November 2023 17:42 , Andy Gregory

The officer in charge of policing London during Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest has refused to comment on whether Suella Braverman’s comments about police bias have undermined the force.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We’ve got a really difficult weekend this weekend, I’m not going to comment on politics. It’s not my place to comment on politics.

“We will police what we need to police with a robust policing pattern, recognising all of the concerns in our communities and for people coming to London over the weekend, so that we can keep them safe.”

Met Police treats protesters ‘without fear or favour’, senior officer says

Friday 10 November 2023 17:11 , Andy Gregory

The Metropolitan Police treats protesters “without fear or favour”, the officer in charge of policing London during Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest has said.

In a piece for The Times, home secretary Suella Braverman claimed there is a perception police “play favourites” towards pro-Palestinian protesters who are “largely ignored, even when clearly breaking the law”.

Asked on Friday whether Ms Braverman’s comments were accurate, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: “We’ve been really clear on our policing position this week.

“Our job is to ensure that we police without fear or favour, that we balance the rights of everybody – be that protesters, counter protesters, or people living or coming into London. And our job this weekend is to ensure that people are kept safe and that is what my focus is on.”

Braverman accused of ‘fanning flames of hate’ towards Muslims over march row, cross-party MPs warn

Friday 10 November 2023 16:20 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Suella Braverman has been accused of “fanning the flames of hate” towards Muslims after her attacks on pro-Palestine rallies prompted a furious outcry over concerns she is fuelling “hatred and division”.

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims, a cross-party committee of MPs, hit out at the home secretary’s rhetoric, which has seen her describe the demonstrations as “hate marches”, warning she is “inspiring far-right” to engage in Islamophobia.

Ms Braverman’s job is on the line after Downing Street made clear that it had not approved an extraordinary article in which she accused officers of playing favourites by tolerating the Armistice Day march while using stronger tactics against right-wing protests, with senior Tories urging Mr Sunak to sack her.

Braverman ‘fanning flames of hate’ towards Muslims over march row, MPs warn

Three women deny paraglider images indicating Hamas support at pro-Palestinian demo

Friday 10 November 2023 16:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Three women have pleaded not guilty to displaying images indicating support for banned organisation Hamas at a pro-Palestinian march in central London.

Heba Alhayek, 29, Pauline Ankunda, 26, and Noimutu Olayinka Taiwo, 27, were all charged under the Terrorism Act as part of the same investigation, for allegedly wearing or displaying images of paragliders during the demonstration in Whitehall on October 14.

Alhayek and Ankunda, both from Crystal Palace, south-east London, were each charged on November 3 with carrying or displaying an article to arouse reasonable suspicion that they are supporters of banned organisation Hamas, and Taiwo, from Croydon, south london, was charged with the same offence on Thursday.

Three women deny paraglider images indicating Hamas support at pro-Palestinian demo

Police form Armistice Day ring of steel as protesters banned from Cenotaph

Friday 10 November 2023 15:52 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Protesters will be banned from going near the Cenotaph this weekend as the monument is put under a 24/7 ring of steel ahead of hundreds of thousands joining a pro-Palestine march.

The Metropolitan Police has confirmed exclusion zones will be imposed on Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance and other relevant areas, banning those on the march from these locations.

The Cenotaph will also be shielded by 24-hour police guard in a raft of measures announced ahead of the march on Saturday.

Our crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin reports:

Police form Armistice Day ring of steel as protesters banned from Cenotaph

‘We live in a state of fear’: Jenin residents ‘terrified’ as IDF bombards West Bank and settler violence grows

Friday 10 November 2023 15:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

‘What is this life? Where is the world?’ Anxious Jenin locals speak to Maryam Zakir-Hussain as Israeli raids ramp up in the occupied Palestinian territory

Terrified children and desperate mothers line the corridors of Jenin’s public hospital, taking shelter from Israeli soldiers as they raid a nearby refugee camp in the occupied West Bank.

While much of the focus on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has been on the Gaza strip, Palestinians in the West Bank are facing a multitude of threats, from air strikes above to settlers and soldiers on the ground.

“The soldiers cross all lines now,” Dr Wisam Bakr, general director of Jenin Governmental Hospital, told The Independent.

“Our staff are in danger. An unarmed Palestinian man was killed in front of the emergency department hospital by Israeli soldiers.”

The victim, Yanal Hamran, was shot in the head on his twenty-second birthday. Dr Bakr said he was not part of any resistance organisation, but was a policeman off-duty working in the hospital cafeteria selling sandwiches to make ends meet.

West Bank residents ‘terrified’ as IDF bombards enclave and settler violence grows

Palestinian groups ask war crimes court to investigate genocide accusations

Friday 10 November 2023 15:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Three Palestinian human rights groups said they have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate Israel, accusing it of committing war crimes including genocide by bombing and besieging Gaza.

Israel - which is not a member of the Hague-based court and does not recognise its jurisdiction - did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It has previously said allegations of genocide are deplorable and that its actions target Hamas militants, not civilians.

The three rights groups - Al Haq, Al Mezan and the Palestine Human Rights Campaign - said they had asked the ICC to focus on Israeli air strikes on densely populated civilian areas in Gaza, the siege of the territory and the displacement of the population.

“These actions amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide and incitement to genocide,” they said in a joint press statement.

The ICC said on Friday it had received a communication from the three groups and would assess the information, without going into detail on its contents.

Police announce ring of steel and 24-hour protection for the Cenotaph in major operation

Friday 10 November 2023 15:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Protestors will be banned from key parts of central London this Remembrance weekend as police brace for hundreds of thousands to descend on the capital.

The Metropolitan Police has said exclusion zones will be imposed on Whitehall, Horse Guards Parade, the Westminster Abbey Field of Remembrance and other relevant areas, banning those on the pro-Palestine march from these locations.

The Cenotaph will also be shielded by 24-hour police guard, which began on Thursday. Double the number of offices will be on duty, with almost 2,000 expected to be deployed, including 1,000 drafted in from other forces.

Protestors must stick to the pre-agreed march route. Anyone believed to be part of or associated with the pro-Palestinian demonstration trying to assemble in the exclusion zones near the Whitehall area can be arrested, police warned. There will also be metal barriers and officers in place to protect it.

In addition, police have said the march and speeches must conclude at 5pm, with dispersal zones in place in Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus.

Police will also have additional powers to search people for weapons amid fears right-wing groups could clash with pro-Palestine protesters.

A Section 60 and 60AA power will be in place covering a significant area of Westminster and parts of Wandsworth and Lambeth between 10:00hrs on Saturday and 01:00hrs on Sunday.

Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital has ‘collapsed'

Friday 10 November 2023 15:00 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

British Palestinian Dr. Ghassan Abu Sitta said Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital, “has collapsed”.

He posted: “Shifa hospital has collapsed. Wounded and staff leaving in droves. Missile attacks this morning on outpatient dept. which housed internally displaced.”

Cenotaph: What is the history and significance of the Whitehall monument?

Friday 10 November 2023 14:42 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain

Remembrance Sunday takes place on the second Sunday of November every year and provides a moment for the British public to reflect on the supreme sacrifice made by its soldiers in the First World War and in all conflicts since.

The centrepiece of the National Service of Remembrance is the Cenotaph, the stone war memorial that stands in the heart of Whitehall in central London, at the base of which members of the royal family, the prime minister, the leader of the opposition, their ministers, Commonwealth high commissioners and military personnel all gather to lay wreaths of poppies and pay their respects to the fallen.

The monument takes its name from the Greek word for “empty tomb” and reflects the absence of the dead, many of whom were buried close to the battlefields of France and Flanders where they were killed in the Great War of 1914-18 because the repatriation of dead bodies was forbidden at the time, a policy that meant their grief-stricken loved ones had no local gravesite at which to mourn their loss.

What is the history and significance of the Cenotaph?

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website