In a dramatic protest against Israel's military actions in Gaza, Pro-Palestinian protesters forcefully entered a U.S. military vessel at the Port of Oakland. This action marked a prominent expression of their opposition to the military operations in Gaza and unfolded at the heart of the Port of Oakland.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, three of the demonstrators ascended the Cape Orlando and clung to the ship's ladder, impeding its departure from the dock. The protesters' motivation stemmed from their belief that the vessel was bound for Israel. Oakland police swiftly arrived at the scene, apprehending the three individuals who had climbed the ship. Subsequently, the Cape Orlando departed from the port.

While the protest organizers claimed to have received information from a confidential source suggesting the ship's mission involved transporting weapons and military equipment to Israel, union representatives and subcontractors operating in the vicinity of the ship asserted that it was empty and made periodic visits to and from the port. Around fifty demonstrators assembled near the ship's berth at the Port of Oakland in the early hours of Friday, with their numbers growing throughout the morning.

The protestors chanted “Free Palestine, from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,” and “Hey hey, ho ho, the occupation has got to go,” as they demonstrated their objections to the conflict.

The Gaza conflict resulted in the loss of 1,400 lives and the abduction of 230 individuals. This led to a substantial Israeli retaliation. According to medics in the Hamas-administered territory, the response has claimed over 9,200 lives, with approximately half of the casualties being children.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken conducted his third visit to Israel since the conflict's outset, reaffirming American support for Israel's campaign. He echoed President Joe Biden's appeal for a temporary cessation of hostilities to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.

The UN General Assembly overwhelmingly called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, a move that was met with disapproval from Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that a ceasefire in Israel's conflict with Hamas "will not happen," emphasizing that a ceasefire would be considered surrendering to Hamas. Israel has asserted that it will not agree to a ceasefire until Hamas is no longer a threat.

Image source: Daily Mail