Tens of thousands of demonstrators from various European countries marched in Brussels on Sunday, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Stop genocide in Palestine,” “Resistance,” and “Solidarity with the Palestinian people,” and marched from the Gare du Nord area to Jean Rhy Square in the European Quarter.

About 40,000 people participated in the demonstration, which was organized by a coalition of civil society organizations, including the Belgian-Palestinian Association, the French- and Dutch-speaking umbrella organization CNCD-11.11.11, and the Palestinian group (Our House).

The organizers called on the international community to take urgent measures to ensure a permanent ceasefire, protect civilians and release hostages. They also called for an end to the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip and an increase in humanitarian access to the Palestinians.

George De Small, head of the "11.11.11" organization in Louis Saint-Lambert, said that the roots of the issue lie in the fact that the United Nations has not recognized Palestine as a state for 70 years. He stressed that Palestine has a legitimate right to establish a state.

For his part, Gregory Mozy, spokesman for the Belgian-Palestinian Association, said, “The European Union is Israel’s largest trading partner and has significant means of pressure at its disposal to play a proactive role and put an end to what more and more international institutions and non-governmental organizations describe as genocide.”

This demonstration in Brussels marks the sixth large-scale protest demonstration in Belgium since the conflict began on October 7, 2023. Organizers expressed their hope that international pressure will help end hostilities and deliver much-needed aid to the Palestinian population.

The Palestinian death toll from the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza has risen to 35,386 people, Palestinian health authorities in Gaza said on Saturday.