Thousands take part in pro-Palestinian march

A pro-Palestinian demonstration is marching through central London, with protesters calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the escalating conflict in the Middle East.

The group - thought to be a few thousand strong - is marching from Russell Square to Whitehall, where speeches will be given.

The event has been organised by groups including the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, with people travelling from across the UK to take part.

It comes as a policing operation is in place across the capital, one year after the 7 October attacks in Israel.

The Metropolitan Police said it was hard to accurately estimate turnout but the protest "appears to be greater than other recent protests".

People could be seen carrying Palestinian flags and placards with message "ceasefire now" and "hands off Lebanon", and chanting "stop the bombing now".

A counter-protest also took place forcing police to form a cordon between the two marches.

But a small group broke away from the pro-Palestinian protest and were stopped trying to approach the counter-protest at Aldwych. Three people were arrested after officers intervened.

Conditions were imposed to move the counter-protest group back to Trafalgar Square as it got "too close to the main march and well away from the agreed area", police said.

Two people have also been arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker.

Separately, pro-Palestinian supporters are walking through the centre of Edinburgh on Saturday afternoon.

On Sunday afternoon, a memorial event will take place in Hyde Park organised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the Jewish Leadership Council and other groups.

The war began when Hamas gunmen attacked Israel on 7 October last year, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 others as hostages.

Israel responded with a military campaign in Gaza that has now killed at least 41,825 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.