Protesters gathered outside the Cambridge Guildhall at noon today (19/01) before marching around Market Square to mark a cessation of hostilities in Gaza.

Protesters waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags, danced to Palestinian music, and displayed signs criticising Israel’s response to the 7 October attacks in 2023.

An event official said that the event was intended to celebrate both the ceasefire and Palestinian culture in general, adding that the ceasefire does not mean that things are “over”.

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect today as Hamas handed over three Israeli hostages to the Red Cross, including Emily Damari, a British citizen.

Approximately 40 people attended the protest, including representatives of Cambridge for Palestine and Demilitarise Cambridge.

When asked why he had attended the event, one student who described himself as being of Palestinian heritage, listed his main concerns, including the “right to liberation,” and “an end to occupation”. He described the ceasefire as part of a long struggle, and said that he had attended the demonstration in part because he wanted to encourage people “not to forget” the Palestinian issue.

A Cambridge resident who also attended the event described it as a “semi-celebration,” adding that he was at the protest because he thought it was important to support the cause.

At 12:45 the group began to march around Market Square. Making their way around the square to the top of King’s Parade, outside Great St Mary’s Church, the protesters chanted slogans including: “Ceasefire now, liberation next.”

Once outside the west door of Great St Mary’s, the protesters held a moment’s silence for all those killed in Gaza since the war began. They were then met by a different march led by Defend Our Juries protesting the imprisonment of climate activists who participate in illegal direct action.

The two marches greeted each other with cheers and sang protest songs together until shortly after 1pm, when the crowd dispersed.

A spokesperson for Cambridge4Palestine said: “Ceasefire was not one of our demands. This is because we make our demands to the university as an international institution. We will continue to campaign on these same demands until they are fully met.

“In continuing to collaborate with Israeli institutions and companies, the university legitimizes its murderous exactions. We believe that conclusions must be drawn from the 470 days of genocide, and that the institutional status quo that enabled it must be overturned,” they continued.