KARACHI, Jan 14: Thousands of schoolchildren marched on roads against the Israeli offensive in Gaza in a protest demonstration organised by the Jamaat-i-Islami on Wednesday.

At least 3,000 children participated in the protest demonstration staged near the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah to express solidarity with the innocent Palestinian children. Some of the young protesters wore headbands calling for jihad while others carried banners inscribed with slogans such as “Three big devils: America, Israel and India” and “Shame on Arab Rulers”.

The children also carried symbolic coffins of the Palestinian children killed in school bombings by Israel.

In their speeches, the young protesters vehemently condemned the Israeli brutalities in which more than 900 people, including children and women, had been killed.

An Israeli flag was also burnt during the protest.

“Today, we resolve that we are ready to stand against America. We are ready to support those Muslim children and mothers who are being bombed,” Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, the Jamaat-i-Islami’s city chief, told the crowd.

He said every child of the Ummah was ready to render sacrifices for the protection of the Palestinian mothers, sisters and children. He said children took to streets because the government failed to adopt any strong stance against Israel. —Agencies