Thousands of Australians have taken to the streets in support of Palestinians and demanded protection of civilians in Gaza, two days after a ceasefire came into effect.

The rallies in cities and towns dubbed the Nationwide Rally for Palestine also come less than a week after the second anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attack in which 1,200 people were killed, while some 250 others were taken hostage in Gaza.

There are believed to be still 48 Israeli hostages in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive , and under the ceasefire deal will be returned to their loved ones.

Israel's retaliatory campaign killed more than 67,000 Palestinians, according to Gazan health authorities, while displacing virtually the entire population and devastating the strip.

The march in Sydney had expe

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