Hundreds of people marched in an Israel Day Parade in New York City amid tight security, calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, AFP reports.

Crowds of Israel supporters marched up Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue, a busy retail street, for the annual parade, holding Israel’s blue and white banner aloft while chanting “bring them home.”

Organisers said they wanted to “demonstrate support for the people of Israel and draw renewed attention to the more than 120 hostages still held by Hamas since October 7, sending an urgent message to the world: ‘Bring Them Home Now!’”

“Right now Israel is under attack. Israel is fighting a just war against vicious terrorists. And we came to support Israel,” teacher Eron Galzor, 51, told AFP.

Sunday’s event, which planners said was “less festive in tone than other years,” was staged with tight security similar to that seen at New York’s centrepiece New Year’s celebrations, with attendees required to go through screening checkpoints.

Attendees were also required to apply for a parade credential in advance, according to local media reports. There were no significant counter-protests.