COMMUNITY TO MOURN FOR GAZA IN KARRATHA VIGIL

Karratha residents gathered to paint placards ahead of the vigil. Credit: Supplied.

Community members in the Pilbara town of Karratha plan to gather for a vigil on Saturday to express their grief at the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

Protests and vigils in response to Israel’s attacks on Palestinian civilians and children are expected to continue across the world this weekend.

Organisers of the Karratha vigil are calling for the Australian government to support a ceasefire between Israel and militant group Hamas.

One of the organisers of the Karratha vigil, local resident Imraan Kolia, said he was appalled by what was happening in Gaza.

“Like the rest of the world, one of the things we can do is to stand up, and to raise our voice, and to show our government that we don’t agree, and to call for a ceasefire,” Mr Kolia said.

He said Israel’s attacks were “increasingly being acknowledged as a genocide against the people of Gaza.”

Seven United Nations special rapporteurs released a statement last week saying: "We remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide.”

"We demand a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure that aid reaches those who need it the most."

The vigil will be held at The Quarter in Karratha at 4.30 pm on Saturday.

Listen to the full interview with Imraan Kolia: