Gaza Ceasefire: The North East Reacts
Written by Gabrielle Wilkinson on 13th October 2025
Hundreds marched the streets of Newcastle in solidarity with Palestine after the Gaza ceasefire announcement.
In a funeral-like procession, approximately 350 people marched the streets of Newcastle on October 12, 2025, to honour the thousands of innocent civilians killed in Gaza.
Attendees carried flowers and flags to send a heartfelt message of support to Palestine and to commemorate two years of attacks conducted by Israel.
The procession came after the Gaza Ceasefire Agreement, otherwise known as President Donald Trump’s Peace Plan, commenced on Friday, October 10, with the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza.
Jason Hussein from Newcastle Palestine Solidarity Campaign told Spark Sunderland: “Stopping the manslaughter of Palestinians is an absolute basic. It is not a peace plan.”
The Middle East has been gripped by conflict for many decades. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people, and kidnapping another 251. More than 67,000 people have been killed during Israeli attacks in Gaza in the two years since. International organisations such as the United Nations have accused Israel of committing genocide – an accusation rejected by the Israeli government. Israel does not allow international journalists to report on the ground in Gaza.
Responding to the procession, Northumbria Police said: “The protest passed peacefully with no incidents reported and there were no arrests made.”
Since the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip in 2023, the North East of England has had a strong reaction to the conflict.
What has happened since the ceasefire?
Since the ceasefire last week:
- Health authorities in Gaza reported six people had been killed, with Israel confirming their troops open fired after suspects approached their forces in Gaza.
- The European Union said it is on standby to deploy a humanitarian mission at the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt.
- One of four bodies returned to Israel by Hamas was not recognised as a hostage.
The United Nations are now guiding life saving aid such as flour and medicine into a devastated Gaza, a first step in what is hoped to become a lasting ceasefire.
Meanwhile, in the North East, protests demanding an end to Israel’s occupation of Gaza will continue on October 18, 2025, with a silent vigil organised by Women in Black North East. The event will take place from 10:30 am to midday next to Queen Victoria Statue in Tynemouth, with attendees urged to wear black.
