Thousands attend mass prayer in West Bank to show support for Gaza as Israel widens offensive

October 28, 2023

Thousands perform dawn prayer in West Bank’s main squares

By Qais Abu Samra

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - Thousands of Palestinians prayed on the streets in the occupied West Bank early Saturday in a show of support for the Gaza Strip amid an Israeli military offensive against the enclave.

Thousands performed the Fajr, or dawn prayer, in main squares in Nablus, Tulkarm, Jenin and Tubas in the occupied territory, according to an Anadolu reporter.

Following the prayers, hundreds staged demonstrations in support of Gaza in Tulkarm and Tubas, said the reporter.

The mass prayer came as the Israeli army on Friday widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since a cross-border attack by Hamas.

The conflict escalated dramatically after Hamas’ military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.

Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and the government announced that it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.

More than 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.

Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel’s massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.