Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have erupted in various locations across the United Kingdom, such as London and Manchester.

In London, a contingent of over 1,000 police officers was deployed as crowds marched from the BBC's New Broadcasting House to Downing Street.

According to the Metropolitan Police, seven individuals were arrested, including one for causing damage and two for offenses related to public order.

These protests occurred in the aftermath of an unprecedented attack launched by Hamas on Israel. Members of the Palestinian militant group infiltrated communities near the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,300 people and the taking of numerous hostages.

Subsequently, Israel responded with retaliatory airstrikes, and the anticipation of a ground offensive has added to the escalating casualties, with over 2,200 people losing their lives in Gaza.

During the Palestine Solidarity Campaign demonstration in London, participants waved Palestinian flags and displayed supportive signs while chanting as they marched towards Downing Street.

As of 19:40 BST on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police reported that the area around Trafalgar Square had been cleared, and the primary group of marchers had dispersed.

Previously, the police had mentioned sporadic instances of disorder, including the throwing of flares, bottles, and fireworks at law enforcement officers.

Authorities had issued warnings that anyone showing support for Hamas, a proscribed terrorist organization, or straying from the designated route would be subject to arrest.

In Trafalgar Square, police appeared to detain several individuals, and one person allegedly threw an object at a police van during the pro-Palestinian demonstrations near Nelson's Column.

This individual was pursued and apprehended by officers after jumping into a fountain in the square, resulting in a confrontation between protesters and Metropolitan Police officers.

Additionally, a video circulated on social media showing the detention of another man in the Whitehall area. The police confirmed his arrest but clarified that it was unrelated to carrying the Union Flag.

The Metropolitan Police earlier said certain areas of central London were covered by a Section 60AA power, which requires a person to remove items such as masks that might be used to conceal their identity, until 22:00 BST. Four arrests were made under these powers.

Earlier conditions put in place under the Public Order Act to deal with the march were lifted on Saturday evening, while special conditions banning people from gathering in an area of Kensington High Street - near the Israeli embassy - remain in place.

The force said it was aware of people lighting flares or fireworks and said: "Action will be taken when we identify those in possession of/throwing them."

Protesters on the route to Westminster could also be heard chanting "Rishi Sunak, shame on you" and the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free".

Earlier this week, Home Secretary Suella Braverman urged police chiefs to consider whether the slogan should be interpreted as an "expression of a violent desire to see Israel erased from the world", possibly making it a "racially aggravated" public order offense in some contexts.

Rallies took place in a number of UK cities including Liverpool, Bristol, Cambridge, Norwich, Coventry, Edinburgh and Swansea.

In Glasgow, thousands of people marched at an event organized by the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Among those addressing the London gathering was former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He said British politicians should not condone Israel's bombing campaign.

Describing the march as a "day of solidarity", the now-independent MP said: "If you believe in international law, if you believe in human rights, then you must condemn what is happening now in Gaza by the Israeli army."

The London protest began at the BBC's headquarters in Portland Place, which was vandalized overnight with red paint splattered over the building's entrance.

In a social media post later on Saturday, activist group Palestine Action claimed responsibility for daubing the building in "blood red paint, symbolizing their complicity in Israel's genocide of the Palestinian people through biased reporting".

The Metropolitan Police said it was "investigating an incident of criminal damage to a building in Portland Place, W1A".

"We are aware of a video posted online claiming responsibility and this will form part of our investigation," the force said, adding that no arrests had been made and its inquiries are ongoing.

The BBC declined to comment, saying it was a matter for the police.

On Friday Met Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor told a press briefing there had been a "massive increase" in antisemitic incidents in London since the Hamas attacks.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the rise "disgusting" and said that intimidating or threatening behavior would be "met with the full force of the law".

He said Israel had "every right to defend itself" from Hamas attacks, but stressed that civilian safety must be "paramount in our minds".

Orly Goldschmidt, the spokeswoman for the Israeli Embassy to the UK, said Israel was not targeting civilians but told Times Radio: "There will be innocent people who will pay tragically with their life, but this is a state of war and we have to prevent anyone from harming us again."

"We have no quarrel with the Palestinian people. We are trying to protect ourselves from the Hamas barbaric organization, which is exactly if not worse than Isis."