Shops, schools and administrative buildings remained closed today in occupied West Bank and East Jerusalemthe Palestinian sector of the city that has been annexed by Israel, in protest of the Israeli army’s deadly operations in the Gaza Strip.

In accordance with Hamas Health Ministry more than 18,200 people have been killed in the enclave and most of the victims are women and children.

Responding to the call of trade unions, many Palestinians went on strike today or participated in demonstrations in many West Bank cities. “Today’s strike is not only a sign of solidarity with Gaza but also a protest against the United States vetoing the UN Security Council” on the ceasefire resolution, explained Issam Abu Bakr, a member of the Fatah party. of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

In Ramallah, its headquarters Palestinian Authority, the protesters unfurled a huge banner with the names of the victims in Gaza. Many families participated in the gathering. “What we can do is participate (in the demonstration). There is nothing else we can do,” said one of the protesters.

Strikes also took place in Nablus and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, home to 300,000 Palestinians, many shops lowered their shutters today. “We want the war to end,” explained Nasser, 65, a cafe owner who said he has not heard from his friends in Gaza.

A young Palestinian barber has opened his own shop in the Old City of Jerusalem. “I have no choice. I have a one-year-old child and I haven’t worked since the start of the war,” he explained.

In Lebanon, banks, schools and government buildings were also closed in solidarity with Gazans. Many shops in the Esenyurt district of Istanbul, which are owned by Palestinians, also remained closed. Photos were posted on social media sites of deserted streets, rolled-up blinds and Palestinian flags hanging from shop fronts.