STOCKHOLM / Anadolu

The Swedish capital Stockholm witnessed a protest on Saturday against the ongoing Israeli genocide war in the Gaza Strip and Israeli aggression on Lebanon.

Protesters gathered in Odenplan Square at the call of several civil society organizations, chanting anti-Israel slogans.

Demonstrators held signs with phrases such as 'Civilians are being killed in Gaza,' 'Schools and hospitals are being bombed,' 'Stop the aggression on Lebanon,' 'End the food shortage,' and 'We do not want war.'

Photo: Atila Altuntas / AA

** 'The end of the war is still far away'

In an interview with Anadolu, Swedish activist Joakim Andersson said he participates every Saturday in pro-Palestine protests in Stockholm to draw attention to the situation in Gaza and raise awareness.

Andersson added that he sees no signs of the Israeli attacks ending soon.

He continued: 'I come here repeatedly to spread the message that the war in Gaza is not over, and its end is still very far away.'

The Swedish activist also criticized his country's policy regarding the Israeli genocide against Palestinians, expressing hope that Stockholm's policy would change in this regard.

He concluded: 'People are smarter than thought, and I see they are beginning to realize the facts about what is happening in Gaza, as happens everywhere.'

Photo: Atila Altuntas / AA

Since the start of the Israeli genocide war on the Gaza Strip on October 8, 2023, Israel has killed 73,269 Palestinians and injured 173,811 others, according to the latest toll announced by the Ministry of Health in the enclave on Saturday.

The war has also caused widespread destruction affecting about 90 percent of civilian infrastructure, while the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank estimate recovery and reconstruction needs at around $71.4 billion.