COLUMBUS, Ohio — The death toll in Israel from Hamas' surprise attack has now climbed to more than 4,300 people on both sides of the conflict, including innocent women and children.
On Saturday, hundreds of people gathered at the Ohio Statehouse for a statewide emergency protest and rally.
In Columbus, it was organized by the Ohio State University student group Students for Justice in Palestine at OSU.
The rally and march brought together people, fighting in support of Gaza and Palestine.
"Families, in large numbers, 20-30 per family, have been wiped off the map this is totally inhumane,” said Mohammad Saleh.
He said he was born and raised in Palestine and has family in Gaza. "It's absolutely devastating, heartbreaking to see children killed for no reason,” said Saleh.
Others who attended said it’s important they mobilize for the thousands of people who are suffering overseas.
"I think at this point we have to stand up for humanity. There are thousands of children who have been killed in the past two weeks,” said Wafaa Saeed, a demonstrator. “It's important for us to stand up together, it doesn't matter your religion, it doesn't matter where you come from.”
Those who gathered at the Statehouse on Saturday said they wanted one thing: for the conflict to stop.