MARK KERRISON | Photojournalist

London, UK. 7th February, 2024. Children read out statements at a press conference organised by Parents for Palestine alongside the statue of Nelson Mandela in Parliament Square as part of National School Strike for Palestine activities. The statements had been drafted using the children's own words to express both how they have experienced the Israeli bombardment of Gaza and their personal demands for action by the UK government. Andrew Feinstein, former ANC Member of Parliament under Nelson Mandela, also spoke at the event. The press conference was preceded by a gathering in Victoria Tower Gardens South, during which children, some of whom wearing homemade press vests, played under a large parachute, and a march to Parliament Square. At least 11,500 Palestinian children have been killed and over 8.663 injured in Gaza since 7th October 2023 according to statistics provided by the Palestinian Health Ministry. Very many more are still missing, believed buried under rubble.