Ahead of the anniversary of the October 7 assaults in Israel, tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors rallied in central London on Saturday.

The Metropolitan Police reported that as part of a "significant" enforcement operation around the city in reaction to the scheduled protest and memorial activities, they had made 17 arrests thus far.

Eight individuals were detained on suspicion of public order crimes, four of which were reportedly racially aggravated, and two persons were arrested on suspicion of aiding a banned group, one of whom featured a demonstrator wearing what looked to be a parachute.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, three arrested on suspicion of common assault and one person was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Public Order Act condition.

Three people were arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker, three arrested on suspicion of common assault and one person was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Public Order Act condition.

Pro-Palestinian activists gathered in Bedford Square on Saturday morning amid a heavy police presence. Officers formed a cordon to stop any groups breaking away from the main protest.

Some were holding Lebanese and Iranian flags and banners stating “we do not stand with genocide” and “Zionism is racism”, with many chanting “free, free PaAlthough it was difficult to gauge attendance precisely, the demonstration "appears to be greater than other recent protests," according to the Metropolitan Police.

From Downing Street to Trafalgar Square, the throng grew as speakers, such as former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, addressed the protesters.

People were heard yelling "stop the bombing now" and waving Palestinian flags and banners with slogans like "ceasefire now" and "hands off Lebanon".

There was also a counter-protest, with police erecting a barricade between the two demonstrations. However, a small group of protesters supporting Palestine broke away from the main gathering and were prevented from approaching the Aldwych counter-protest. Officers intervened and three persons were taken into custody.

Separately, on Saturday afternoon, pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched silently through Edinburgh's center.

The organizers demanded a halt to hostilities and that sanctions be placed on Israel by the governments of the UK and Scotland.

A memorial service in Hyde Park on Sunday is being arranged by the Jewish Leadership Council, the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and other organizations.

On October 7, of last year, militants from Hamas invaded Israel, murdering over 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 more. This marked the start of the conflict.

Israel reacted with a military campaign in Gaza that has already killed at least 41,825 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.