Palestinian supporters taking to the nation’s streets

Chants for liberty, justice and an end to apartheid will ring through capital cities as Australians who support a free Palestine unite.

Up to 10,000 people are expected to march through the Sydney CBD on Saturday afternoon after police green-lit the event, and many more are set to attend events in Perth, Hobart and Brisbane as more information emerges from conflict-stricken Gaza.

Sydney protest organiser Fahad Ali says more Australians – including frontbench politicians Ed Husic and Anne Aly – are recognising the gravity of the situation in Gaza.

“Every time there is some kind of event like this, the civilian population of Gaza pays the price,” he told AAP.

“I think people are beginning to recognise that, what is the greatest loss of civilian life in Israel in its history, still pales in comparison to the enormous catastrophe that has been dealt to the Palestinians.

“That does cause people to ponder the asymmetry of the conflict and perhaps people now realise that this status quo – indefinite occupation and blockade – cannot be sustained.”

Previous protests have been met with a heavy police presence after videos emerged of a small group chanting anti-Semitic slogans within a rally at the Sydney Opera House.

Rallies since have been relatively uneventful with organisers around the country clamping down on hateful comments to ensure the focus remains on their key message: free Palestine.

More pro-Palestine protests will take place in Melbourne and Adelaide on Sunday.

The prime minister has provided $25 million to Jewish and Islamic communities affected by the conflict, and while Mr Ali welcomed the move, he says the government needs to take immediate action to urge a ceasefire, and that humanitarian aid reaches civilians.

“We’re faced with a humanitarian crisis in Palestine – the scale of which we have never seen before,” he said.

“It cannot be the case that we wash our hands of responsibility, when we have played a part in creating the conditions that have led up to this.”

Refugee Council of Australia CEO Paul Power called on the government to work towards a peaceful resolution and to address the dire situation in Gaza.

Hamas conducted a cross-border attack on October 7 that killed more than 1400 people in Israel and led to more than 150 being taken hostage.

Tel Aviv has retaliated by laying siege to the 2.3 million people living in Gaza and unleashing a bombing campaign that has left more than 3500 dead, another 12,000 wounded and roughly 1 million displaced, according to Palestinian officials.

Gazan civilians have no power, water is scarce and the dwindling fuel sources used for emergency generators are running out.

More than 1650 Australians have left Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories since October 7 and commercial flights are available for others who wish to return home.

The foreign affairs department is in contact with registered Australians about departure options.

But the government has previously said there are 46 Australians in Gaza whose safety remains unknown.