As controversy grows in the US, Gazans publicly thank American students for their support during the ongoing conflict

In a moving show of solidarity, residents of Gaza have expressed their gratitude towards American university students who have been actively protesting the recent conflict in Gaza. Gatherings in north and central Gaza, including a notable assembly in front of Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, saw participants holding signs supporting the cessation of violence and advocating for justice.

Dr. Saad Abu Sharban, speaking to CNN, expressed profound appreciation for the global support, especially moved by the images of international protestors. This sentiment was echoed by many in Gaza, who feel bolstered by the international attention and support stemming from the student-led demonstrations across the United States.

Children and adults in several refugee camps within Gaza were seen with banners thanking various American universities, highlighting deep-seated gratitude for the solidarity shown by these distant supporters. Nadia Al-Dibs, a resident of Deir al-Balah, praised the empathy and support of these students, contrasting it with what she perceives as a lack of support from Arab nations.

The demonstrations in the US have sparked significant controversy, with accusations from some quarters that they have crossed into anti-semitism. Israel’s UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan criticized the protests, suggesting they were influenced by external agitators and calling for the expulsion of involved students and disciplinary actions against university staff.

This conflict at the educational institutions comes at a time when international tensions are high, following a US veto of a UN resolution that would have recognized a Palestinian state. The situation has led to increased security measures on campuses, including police interventions at places like Columbia University.

The global reaction, including scholarship offers from Shiraz University in Iran to expelled protesters, indicates the wide-reaching implications of the ongoing conflict and the student movements it has ignited