Six arrests were made as pro-Palestinian activists marched through downtown London to condemn the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas.The march begins at 1.30pm on Saturday and runs alongside Hyde Park before concluding on Kensington Road. The Metropolitan Police stated in a post on X that the arrests were for a variety of charges, including those under the Public Order Act.Protesters at the demonstration brandished signs that said "Starmer has blood on his hands" and "Stop the war coalition".

The march was briefly halted when at least two counter-protesters, including one holding up a sign reading “Hamas is terrorist”, blocked its progress outside the Park Lane Hotel near Green Park.

Two men were then detained by police after a significant struggle.

A separate counter-protest gathered on Kensington High Street, with participants dancing to music and waving Israeli, British and American flags, but was kept away from the much larger pro-Palestinian march by police officers and barricades.The Metropolitan Police had imposed a series of conditions on the event, including that the demonstration must end by 5pm.

Another event which had been scheduled to take place on the intended route for the march was cancelled, the force said.