Hundreds turn out for protest supporting Palestine in Fresno following Gaza hospital blast

Several hundred people who said they supported the rights of Palestinians besieged in the Gaza Strip staged a loud protest Tuesday evening at Blackstone and Nees avenues in front of the River Park shopping mall.

Equipped with a powerful sound system, speakers denounced an attack on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital, where a huge blast claimed the lives of more than 500 people. Most of the victims were children, according to news sources.

Israel and authorities in Gaza traded accusations as to who caused the blast, with Israeli officials blaming a rocket fired by militant Hamas fighters that fell short of its target. Hamas blamed an Israeli air strike.

Protesters at the Fresno demonstration blamed Israel.

“Hamas does not have that kind of weapon,” said a man who called himself Adam.

Asked if the destruction of the hospitals was the reason for the Tuesday demonstration, a protester who called herself Asra said no.

“We were going to have this anyway, but what happened today made us want to have it more.”

Some protesters also called for a boycott of River Park after security officials ordered protesters off the shopping center’s grass strip. Adam complained that over the weekend, pro-Israel protesters were allowed to use the grass.

Efforts to reach shopping center officials were unsuccessful.

Members of Peace Fresno were also present.

Dan Yaseen said: “We are here to support Palestine.”

But he added: “Peace Fresno opposes violence.”