HAVANA (AP) 鈥 Thousands of people led by Cuban President Miguel D铆az-Canel marched along Havana鈥檚 iconic boardwalk Thursday in a show of solidarity with the Palestinian people and demanding an end to the war between Israel and Hamas.
Wearing a black-and-white Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, D铆az-Canel was accompanied by Cuba鈥檚 main leaders, including Prime Minister Manuel Marrero and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodr铆guez.
The marchers walked for 2 kilometers (1.2 miles), passing in front of the U.S. Embassy. Palestinian medical students who were in Cuba as part of a cooperation program joined the rally.
鈥淭oday we are supporting the Palestinian people, supporting all those people who feel the pain of having lost a family member, a loved one due to this massacre,鈥 said Yanquiel Cardoso, a physical culture specialist who participated. 鈥淲e are asking for a ceasefire ... and for Palestine to be free.鈥
Many young people had posters with the phrase 鈥淔ree Palestine鈥 with crude photographs of children injured by bombs or flags identifying both Cubans and Palestinians.
鈥淭his march means a lot to us,鈥 said Sami Sabala, a 26-year-old Palestinian medical student in Havana. 鈥淚t raises feelings 鈥 And it makes people feel that Palestine is not alone.鈥
The war started Oct. 7 when Hamas militants entered southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking about being taken to Gaza. Israel鈥檚 crushing aerial, ground and naval offensive in Gaza has left more than dead and caused in the sealed-off enclave.
Since the war began, this is the second time that Cuba鈥檚 top leaders have participated in solidarity rallies. Last week, the Palestinian flag was projected on the monument to Jos茅 Mart铆, the most iconic in the Caribbean capital.
