Rally for Palestinians held in downtown Chicago; local family says 10 relatives lost in Gaza strikes
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Marchers filled the streets of downtown Chicago Wednesday evening, supporting Palestinians and demanding all support for Israel be halted.
"I call on the U.S. government to essentially end all funds that they're sending to Israel," said Rania Salem of the U.S. Palestinian Community Network.
Demonstrators at the rally and march blamed Israel for what is now an all-out war between the state and Hamas, which rules the Gaza Strip.
"Israeli violence is the root cause of violence and unrest in the region!" said one speaker at the rally.
But Israel is alleging unfathomable atrocities committed by Hamas militants, who stormed into southern Israel on Saturday, killing hundreds of civilians and taking more than 100 hostages.
In the days of fighting since, the Israeli military has said more than 1,200 Israelis, including 189 soldiers, have been killed, while Palestinian officials say more than 1,100 Palestinians have been killed.
At least 22 Americans have also died.
IDF soldiers on the front lines who have been working in the kibbutzes and towns Hamas attacked said they've found entire families burned alive in their vehicles, as well as the remains of children and babies executed by militants.
A Chicago family is in mourning after 10 of their relatives were killed in the latest round of airstrikes in Gaza.
The El Agha family only had photos of some of their relatives who died, who they said range from 1 to 61 years old.
"This is essentially an entire family whose bloodline has been completely erased in one single airstrike," Abdullah El Agha said.
He said this is a nightmare many of his relatives have been living through for decades.
"Unfortunately hearing about terror and aggression on Gaza is nothing new for us as Palestinians, as people from Gaza," El Agha said. "When there's not constant air strikes, there's an air, land and sea blockade, where Israel controls all of the water, electricity, all of the food, and the medical supplies that go into Gaza."
Muhammad Sankari said his wife is from the West Bank and still has family there. He also said the home of his friend's family in Gaza was bombed two days ago.
"A residential building flattened by Israel on the first day of their bombing in Gaza," he said. "Our conversation ended. Inshallah, my parents don't die this time, which, in Arabic, 'inshallah' is 'God willing.'"
Firsthand experiences like that are why Sankari said it's critical for them to push for more support from Congressional leaders.
"We want Palestinians to achieve their right to national liberation and self-determination. We want rights for our people. We want an end to the massacre and an end to the unconditional aid from U.S. to Israel," he said.
In south suburban Alsip, Lighthouse Church of All Nations held a service for hope and peace.
"God heal it from the Mediterranean to the Jordan. Heal it from Egypt to Lebanon. Heal the land," Bishop Dan Willis said.
