Hundreds of Thousands in Istanbul Honor Haniyeh’s ‘Final Will’

Istanbul, The Gulf Observer: Istanbul witnessed an overwhelming display of solidarity on Saturday, August 3, as hundreds of thousands gathered at Ayasofya Square for the “Last Call from Martyr Haniyeh” event. Organized by the Support for Palestine Platform, this demonstration was held in response to a call made by the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who had designated this day as “International Gaza Day.”

Just days before his assassination during a visit to Tehran, Haniyeh had urged nations worldwide to take to the streets in support of Gaza and Palestinian captives amid ongoing Israeli bombardments. Following his death, pro-Palestinian activists embraced his call as a final directive, mobilizing protests across the globe.

On Saturday, demonstrators from various areas of Istanbul converged on Ayasofya Square, marching through Eminonu, Gulhane Park, and surrounding streets. The crowd expanded beyond the square, filling adjacent streets and alleys. Participants waved Turkish and Palestinian flags, donned keffiyehs, and chanted slogans such as “Free Palestine from the river to the sea,” “Murderer US get out of Palestine,” and “Salute to Hamas, continue resistance.”

Banners in Turkish, Arabic, and English conveyed messages such as “There is genocide in Gaza,” “Israel stop the genocide,” and “Let the massacre end, let children not die.” In addition to the main gathering, the Free Jerusalem Platform and the Prophet Loved Ones Foundation organized a separate march from Beyazıt Square to Ayasofya Square, prominently displaying posters of Haniyeh.

The convergence of these groups in Ayasofya Square resulted in a powerful demonstration of unity and protest in support of the Palestinian cause.