100,000 join London march against strikes on Gaza

Government's failure to back ceasefire resolution adds to tensions among demonstrators

Tens of thousands marched through central London yesterday to demand a ceasefire in Gaza with many also expressing fury at the UK government's refusal to back one.

As Israel ratcheted up its offensive in the coastal strip 2,200 miles away, around 100,000 people attended the latest demonstration - matching last Saturday's record turnout for a pro-Palestinian march in the UK. One difference seemed to be a palpably more tense mood than previous marches, reflecting events unfolding in Gaza and widespread exasperation over the government's approach to the three-week-old conflict.