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Gaza supporters rally at White House

Protesters have called on the US government to end its military backing of Israel and adopt a harsher stance toward its ally.

A girl covers her ears as her mother argues with pro-Israel people
Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters have rallied outside the White House, pushing for peace. (AAP)

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Thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters, many waving or wrapped in flags, have rallied outside the White House, pushing for peace and an end to fighting in Gaza.

The crowd, young and old from across the United States, including scores of children, chanted "End US aid to Israel" and "Israel out of Palestine".

"Gaza will not die - it will never die," said Amar Jamal as he marched through downtown Washington with his family on Saturday.

"It is the time to make peace because this bloodbath will not stop in Gaza.

All the Middle East will be in trouble" if the conflict doesn't end, warned the Palestinian-born 70-year-old.

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The protest came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Jewish state would keep up its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza for as long and as forcefully as needed.

Hamas vowed to continue its fight against Israel until the Islamist movement group had achieved its objectives.

The conflict has so far cost more than 1,700 Palestinian and 65 Israeli lives.

Many protesters voiced anger at Netanyahu, with one banner reading "Netanyahu and Hitler are the same, the only difference is the name".

Others called on Washington to end its military backing of Israel and adopt a harsher stance toward its ally.

Shereen Abdel-Nabi, holding her young son who was wearing a "Jesus is Palestinian" T-shirt, said she wanted "to express her concern about what's happening in Gaza and US support for it".

"The US should stop military aid to Israel and use stronger words in condemning its action," said the 34-year-old NGO worker.

"This is a turning point ... it's an issue of humanity. The US government is proving to be on the wrong side of history."

Organisers claimed as many as 50,000 people took part in the afternoon rally.

Alli McCracken, national coordinator of the anti-war group Codepink, said spirits were high "even though there's a massacre going on".


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