South Bay, San Francisco protests seek permanent cease-fire in Gaza

Palestinian supporters organized multiple protests across the Bay Area on Friday, calling for an end to Israel’s invasion of Gaza and for the current pause in fighting across the region to become permanent.

The protests — including one at Westfield Valley Fair Mall in the South Bay and another at San Francisco’s City Hall — came as a delicate, four-day truce took hold in Gaza. The cease-fire marked the first pause in fighting across the war-torn area in nearly seven weeks — helping to ensure the release of 24 hostages held by Hamas in an internationally-brokered deal that also included the release of numerous prisoners held by Israel.

The war began when Hamas fighters stormed Israel on Oct. 7 and killed at least 1,200 people while taking about 240 others hostage. In response, Israel has bombarded and invaded Gaza in a campaign that has left more than 13,000 Palestinians dead, including thousands of children.

In San Francisco, hundreds of Palestinian supporters gathered outside City Hall and demanded the cease-fire be made permanent. And in the South Bay, waves of protesters marched through Westfield Valley Fair Mall in a demonstration that was intended to coincide with Black Friday, when businesses typically offer special deals and shoppers are normally out in force.