Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters stage sit-in demonstrations at King’s Cross Station, demanding ceasefire for Gaza amid Israeli bombardment – despite Transport Minister banning protest

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters today held a demonstration at London’s King’s Cross Station to call for a ceasefire.

It comes amid a devastating bombardment of Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’ October 7 attacks on southern Israel.

British Transport Police confirmed this evening that two arrests had been made for ‘failure to comply with a Section 14 notice’ – which banned the planned protest.

The Minister of Transport cited a risk to train services in the decision to ban the event and said all attendees would be arrested.

Video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, appeared to show police arresting protesters who gathered at the station on Friday evening.

People were expected to attend the sit-in just before 7 p.m said they had been moved outside by the police and continued to demonstrate in the streets.

Pro-Palestinian protesters stage a sit-in at Kings Cross station on Friday evening as part of an ongoing series of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The protest came despite the Transport Minister’s attempt to ban it, citing the risk of disruption

Commenting on tonight’s protest at Kings Cross Station, Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: ‘While the right to peaceful protest is an important part of our democratic society, it cannot be at the expense of the right of other people not to be seriously disrupted or to be intimidated.

‘I have therefore authorized the British Transport Police to issue an order under section 14A of the Public Order Act 1986, banning the planned protest at Kings Cross Station this evening. This means that protest activities at the station will be classified as unlawful and anyone participating will be arrested.

‘Officers must have the powers they need to ensure our stations remain safe places for people to make their journeys, protect public safety and prevent disorder.’

The Metropolitan Police confirmed to MailOnline this evening that around 100 officers were supporting British Transport Police in managing the situation at King’s Cross.

British Transport Police confirmed just after 7.20pm that the protest inside the station had ended and a small group had moved outside.

“Passengers will have normal access to the station and trains will not be disrupted,” a statement read.

The protest came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today ruled out a temporary ceasefire in Gaza until the hostages are released.

More than 200 were reportedly captured after Hamas – the de facto governing authority in Gaza – invaded southern Israel and attacked civilians and military personnel.

Israel has responded with a siege of Gaza and repeated raids on the besieged area.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have also been condemned for attacks on civilian areas and attacks killing fighters – as well as the alleged use of white phosphorus on the civilian population.

Today the Israeli army confirmed that it attacked an ambulance outside Gaza’s largest hospital.

The IDF claimed it was used by Hamas militants, while health officials said it was transporting the wounded.

Israeli “planes hit an ambulance identified by troops as being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in the vicinity of their position in the combat zone,” a military statement said.

The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was “utterly shocked” on Friday by a deadly Israeli attack on an ambulance near Gaza’s main hospital.

Ghebreyesus said he was “completely shocked by reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, causing deaths, injuries and damage.”

‘We repeat: patients, healthcare workers, facilities and ambulances must be protected at all times. Always,” the WHO chief wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

As the war continues, there are increasing calls from outside the southern Levant to arrange a ceasefire.

Qatari mediators are among those working to reach an agreement on terms, including the release of hostages.

A number of prisoners have been released by Hamas in recent weeks – and Israel has allowed some humanitarian aid to enter the Gaza Strip through its southern border with Egypt.

Protesters call for a ceasefire amid Israel’s devastating bombardment of the Gaza Strip

Pro-Palestinian protesters stage a sit-in at Kings Cross station on Friday evening as part of an ongoing series of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The protests come despite a ban from the Minister of Transport, who cited a risk to train services in the decision

Only on Tuesday did demonstrators shut down London’s Liverpool Street Station with a similar protest.

Photos and videos posted to X show the crowd of protesters singing, cheering and clapping. Many waved large Palestinian flags in the station.

Demonstrators could also be heard shouting: “Palestine will be free.”

At Tuesday’s protest, hundreds of activists chanted: ‘What do we want? Armistice. When do we want it? Now.’

Police officers were filmed trying to move commuters along as curious onlookers stopped to see what was happening during the sit-down protest.

Sisters Uncut, a feminist group that organized the protest, posted on X: ‘Sit-in taking over Liverpool Street Station in solidarity with the Palestinian people – no business as usual until the genocide ends. Armistice now.”