Protests swept across the country yesterday as students, teachers, professionals, and activists from all walks of life took to the streets in a nationwide show of solidarity with the people of Gaza, condemning Israel's ongoing military onslaught in Palestine and calling it a genocide.

From the capital to the hills, demonstrators formed human chains, staged sit-ins, and held processions demanding the international community take steps to put an immediate end to the bloodshed in the besieged territory.

The wave of protests followed a global call for strikes under the banner "The World Stops for Gaza," urging educational institutions, offices, and businesses to suspend operations as a sign of protest.

In different parts of the capital, protesters—many waving Palestinian flags—chanted slogans such as "Free, Free Palestine" and "Stop Genocide in Gaza." Some carried effigies of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and placards criticising the silence of world leaders, particularly those from the Muslim world.

People gather at Chouhatta in Sylhet city to express solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza as the nation erupts in protests against Israeli brutalities yesterday. Photo: Star

In Dhaka, hundreds gathered near the US Embassy in Gulshan from the morning. A group of students gathered around 1:45pm at the footbridge opposite the embassy and chanted slogans like "Trump-er dui gaaley, juta maaro taley taley" and "Who are we? Who are you? Palestine, Palestine."

Earlier in the day, a youth-led procession halted traffic in front of the embassy. Police and armed forces personnel were heavily deployed in the area, with officers forming human barricades and checking passers-by.

Around 4:00pm, hundreds of protesters, including students, professionals, and other citizens, gathered on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital. They held Palestinian flags, photo cards, and banners, calling for an end to the destruction of Gaza.

The protest began with a one-hour gathering in front of the parliament building, followed by a march through the avenue. Protesters chanted slogans such as "To stand with Palestine, one must be human" and "Free Palestine".

Meanwhile, the National Citizen Party's metropolitan unit held a programme at Shahbagh around 4:00pm.

People gather at Raju Bhaskarjya at Dhaka University to express solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza as the nation erupts in protests against Israeli brutalities yesterday. Photo: Star

Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said, "As long as Palestine is not recognised as an independent state and its people do not attain freedom, our oath of independence will not allow any friendship with Israel."

He called on the United Nations to take steps to stop the war immediately, stating that Netanyahu must be punished for committing crimes against humanity.

"The common people of every country in the world are protesting against the atrocities in Gaza, while the world's Muslim leaders are still silent. Some of the world's superpowers are still defending Israel."

SCHOOLS SHUT

As part of the movement, academic and administration activities were suspended at several universities. Dhaka University halted classes and closed offices between 9:00am and 11:00am. Students and members of the public, including children, gathered in front of TSC, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans against Israel's military offensive.

Speaking to reporters, a protester at TSC said, "We are on the streets because the world has forgotten the people of Palestine. We demand freedom for Palestine and the trial of Israeli leaders for war crimes."

BUET students and faculty formed a human chain on campus. BRAC University students also staged a demonstration in front of their university, holding banners and placards.

Students of Eden Women's College held a protest march on the college campus in the capital. They chanted slogans like "Free Palestine," "Stop Brutal Genocide in Gaza," and "Justice for Palestinians," while holding placards.

At the University of Asia Pacific, students formed a human chain, while students from private universities across the capital—especially in Bashundhara and Bhatara—participated in protest marches.

Students from Dhaka Medical College, North South University, East West University, and many other institutions joined the movement. Many demonstrators avoided institutional banners, instead waving Palestinian flags and wearing keffiyehs, a symbol of Palestinian nationalism.

Jahangirnagar University suspended all academic and administrative activities for two hours from 10:00am. It also postponed all classes and exams scheduled for the day. Confirming the suspension, Public Relations Director Mohammad Mohiuddin said it was done in support of the global movement.

Teachers and students of Jagannath University formed human chains and held rallies on campus, calling for a boycott of Israeli products and urging Muslim-majority countries to unite against Israeli aggression.

Speakers at the rally also slammed international bodies for what they termed as "criminal silence" on the Gaza crisis.

People gather at Shibbarir Mor in Khulna to express solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza as the nation erupts in protests against Israeli brutalities yesterday. Photo: Star

NATIONWIDE UPROAR

In Rajshahi, students, teachers, and staff of Rajshahi University staged a rally from Paris Road around 11:00am, carrying Palestinian flags and banners. They displayed images of US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with messages condemning their role in the conflict.

In Chattogram, students from Chittagong Medical College brought out a procession at 11:00am, marching across the campus. Students from Chittagong College, Government Hazi Muhammad Mohsin College, Commerce College, and Hazera Taju College also joined the movement.

In Narsingdi, thousands of school and college students blocked the Dhaka-Sylhet highway for about an hour, calling for a boycott of Israeli products and the punishment of Israeli leaders.

In Cumilla, students, residents, and political leaders formed human chains and marched through the Pubali Chattora Kandirpar area.

In Chandpur, students from several institutions, including Chandpur Government Medical College and Chandpur Nursing Institute, took to the streets in large numbers. A protest rally was also held at the 250-bed Chandpur Government General Hospital.

In Pabna, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami organised a rally on Abdul Hamid Road in the town centre.

In Patuakhali, thousands gathered near the Circuit House in Jhautola from 10:00am. The crowd included students, political party workers, professionals, and families.

In Narayanganj, around 10:00am, demonstrators began gathering at the Central Shaheed Minar in Chashara in small processions. They later took to the streets in protest.

In Bandarban, a protest rally took place at the central bus terminal, followed by a protest gathering in front of the Bandarban Press Club. Speakers at the rally called for strong international intervention to immediately stop the Gaza genocide.

The protest rally saw participation from students, members of civil society, social organizations, and people from various walks of life.

In Gazipur, a protest march was held in the Chandana Chowrasta area this afternoon. The march circled various roads in Gazipur.

In Cox's Bazar, a protest march began around noon from Shaheed Daulat Maidan in front of Cox's Bazar Public Library, proceeding through Holiday Intersection, Laboni, and ending at Kolatoli.

In Sylhet, thousands of people from all walks of life joined a protest at the Central Shaheed Minar area at 3:00pm.

In Tangail, students of Alokito Hridoy School suspended classes and exams. They held a demonstration on the school premises from 9:20am to 1:00pm. Children displayed handmade banners and posters bearing messages such as "The World for Gaza," "Stop War," and "Stop Genocide."

In Bogura, thousands of students and people staged a large protest rally from morning to afternoon, condemning the attacks on Palestinians and demanding a boycott of Israeli products.

The people of Kishoreganj and Kushtia also organised similar programmes.

Jamaat-e-Islami's Dhaka Metropolitan North Unit also held a rally and procession in the capital to protest Israel's attacks and genocide in Gaza.

VANDALISM MARS PROTEST

Rowdy elements from yesterday's protests committed vandalism and carried out looting at various business outlets, including restaurants and shoe stores, in multiple districts, including Sylhet, Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Khulna, Gazipur, and Bogura.

They tore down billboards and banners, stormed inside, trashed the properties, and looted the products on display. They alleged that those establishments sell pro-Israel and pro-American products.

In Cox's Bazar, at least five restaurants were attacked in the tourist zone.

Locals said the protest programme began around 12:00pm from the town's Shaheed Daulat Maidan area and proceeded through Holiday intersection, Laboni, and ended at Kolatoli.

At one point, a group of unruly protesters carried out vandalism on the pretext of boycotting Israeli products.

Several tourists were reported to have been injured during the vandalism.

Firoz Ahmed, manager of Kacha Lanka Restaurant, said, "There was a 7UP advertisement on our signboard, and they used that as an excuse to vandalise our restaurant."

Confirming that matter, Cox's Bazar Sadar Police Station OC Elias Khan said police were deployed during the protest programme and they could bring the situation under control immediately.

In Bogura, riotous elements from the protest vandalised a shoe outlet in the town's Satmatha area around noon.

Witnesses said a group of people, who were chatting anti-Israel slogans, hurled brickbats and stones targeting the store. Within moments, all the windows were smashed.

The incident triggered panic and other shoe outlets in the town were closed following the incident.

Contacted, Bogura Sadar Police Station's OC SM Moinuddin confirmed the incident.

GOVT CONDEMNS GAZA GENOCIDE

Besides the citizen protests, the interim government yesterday strongly condemned Israel's ongoing military assault on Gaza, describing it as a gross violation of human rights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning Israel's indiscriminate aerial bombardment of civilian areas in Gaza and accusing Israel of attempting ethnic cleansing.

The statement called for an immediate halt to Israel's military operations, urging the country to adhere to international humanitarian law. Bangladesh also appealed to the international community, especially the United Nations, to take immediate action towards an unconditional ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Furthermore, Bangladesh reiterated its support for Palestine's right to self-determination and its call for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The country also urged a return to peace talks for lasting stability in the Middle East.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel's military campaign on the 365-square-kilometre Gaza Strip has left at least 50,695 Palestinians dead and 115,338 injured, according to figures from the Palestinian Wafa news agency.

The United Nations reports that 69 percent of Gaza's infrastructure has been either destroyed or severely damaged, leading to a humanitarian catastrophe.