US: Jewish peace activists lead Gaza cease-fire sit-in at California federal bld

Hundreds of demonstrators demanding a ceasefire in Gaza headed by Jewish peace activists held a sitin inside the federal building in Oakland California which resulted in several arrests according to a report in The Associated PressReportedly in the rotunda of the Rondald V Dellums Federal building on Monday evening people carried banners that said Let Gaza Live and Not in Our Name and they wore Tshirts that said Jews Say Ceasefire NowOne of the demonstration organisers Jewish Voice for Peace stated on its website that by nine oclock at night scores of individuals had been arrestedEarly on Tuesday messages were made to Oakland police and the department inquiring about the number and nature of the arrests Rabbi Lynn Gottlieb of Berkeley explained to KNTVTV that she was at the sitin because there is no other choice How many people must we kill in order to reach a ceasefire they questionedThis demonstration was one of many taking place around the nation in the wake of Hamass surprise attack on Israel on October 7 Following that Israel launched its offensive which resulted in hundreds of deaths and extensive destruction throughout Gaza and other Palestinian regionsDuring rush hour on Monday hundreds of Jewish peace activists and supporters gathered at a significant train station in downtown Chicago to block the Israeli consulates entry and call for US support for an Israel ceasefireOn October 27 a sea of demonstrators crowded the main concourse during evening rush hour at New York Citys Grand Central Station led by Jewish Voice for Peace demanding a ceasefire as Israel stepped up its assault of the Gaza Strip Following this at least 200 demonstrators were detained by New York police officersMeanwhile satellite photos analysed by The Associated Press revealed that Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles were advancing further into the Gaza Strip tightening pressure on Gaza City amid fierce fighting between Israeli forces and militantsPictures taken on Saturday by Planet Labs PBC showed Israeli military personnel stationed near the marina in Gaza City Over thirty vehicles were parked on the beach some of them behind sand berms that would provide cover This is consistent with reports and analysis from the Institute for the Study of War in Washington which characterises this as an Israeli assault that first isolated the southern part of Gaza City before moving along the coast towards the marinaThe advanced base that looked to be Israeli near the marina looked like the defensive position seen in earlier photos There were large missile impact holes all around these places some of which are now filled with seawater along the beachDespite the protection granted to hospitals under international law during conflicts they risk losing this status if used for military purposes as per the International Committee of the Red Cross The war stemming from an October 7 Hamas incursion into southern Israel has resulted in significant casualties with over 11000 reported deaths primarily women and children according to Gazas Health MinistryIsraeli troops after evacuating civilians from Gaza City have moved in from multiple directions encircling the city from the south and advancing from the north and east Access to independent information remains challenging with journalists unable to enter the city Satellite imagery has become crucial for reporting on inaccessible regions aiding in understanding the ongoing situation