**Mass Protests Erupt in Barcelona Against Gaza Conflict**

BARCELONA, Spain — Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Barcelona on Saturday to protest Israel's military actions in Gaza. This event is part of a broader wave of protests planned across Spain, Italy, and Portugal, fueled by recent events including the interception of a humanitarian aid flotilla by Israeli forces.

The protests in Barcelona and Madrid were organized weeks in advance, while similar demonstrations are set to take place in Rome and Lisbon. The anger among protesters intensified after Israel removed over 450 activists from the flotilla, which had departed from Barcelona in an attempt to break the blockade of Gaza. Among those removed were more than 40 Spaniards, including a former mayor of Barcelona.

On Friday, Italy witnessed over 2 million people participating in a general strike to show solidarity with Gaza residents. In Spain, support for Palestinians has surged in recent weeks, coinciding with the left-wing government’s diplomatic efforts against the right-wing administration of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Protests against an Israeli-owned cycling team disrupted the Spanish Vuelta last month, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has labeled the destruction in Gaza as “genocide,” calling for a ban on Israeli teams from international sports events.

Barcelona's town hall reported that approximately 70,000 people attended Saturday's demonstration, filling the city's main boulevard, Passeig de Gracia. Families and individuals of all ages participated, waving Palestinian flags and wearing shirts that expressed solidarity with Palestine. Signs carried by protesters included messages such as “Gaza hurts me,” “Stop the Genocide,” and “Hands off the flotilla.”

Maria Jesus Parra, a 63-year-old protester, traveled an hour from her home to join the demonstration. She expressed her frustration with the European Union's inaction regarding the situation in Gaza. “How is it possible that we are witnessing a genocide happening live after what we (as Europe) experienced in the 1940s?” she asked. “Now nobody can say they didn’t know what was happening.”

In addition to the protests in Spain, a demonstration is also taking place in Rome, organized by Palestinian groups and local unions. Police anticipate that tens of thousands will attend. Protests in Madrid and Lisbon are scheduled for later in the day, with additional demonstrations planned in other Spanish cities. A protest is also expected in Athens, with authorities predicting a larger turnout on Sunday, coinciding with a pro-Israeli event.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza escalated following Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Israel's military response has reportedly led to over 67,000 deaths and nearly 170,000 injuries in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. U.N. agencies and independent experts consider these figures to be the most reliable estimates of wartime casualties.

As protests continue across Southern Europe, demonstrators hope to influence public opinion and encourage European leaders to adopt a firmer stance against Israel's actions in Gaza.