Children joined a protest in Glasgow city centre calling for peace in Palestine and the protection of innocent lives. 

The young demonstrators took to the Buchanan Street steps on Friday morning (November 24), waving placards with messages including: "free Palestine", "gie the weans peace", and "ceasefire now".  

It was part of the second national 'school strike for Palestine' organised by Stop the War Coalition, which is calling for the safety of the one million children living in besieged Gaza.

The Herald: Palestine protest on Buchanan Street steps in GlasgowPalestine protest on Buchanan Street steps in Glasgow (Image: Gordon Terris)

Of them, an estimated 5,500 are said to have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with Save the Children reporting a child has been killed every 10 minutes on average in Gaza since October 7. 

Read more: Palestine protest Scotland: Glasgow march, in pictures

A spokesperson the Stop the War Coalition said: "As the situation in Gaza intensifies, we are deeply concerned our leaders are gravely failing a vulnerable and disempowered population by enabling a deliberately disproportionate attack, resulting in collective punishment and a devastating loss of life.

“Whatever our faith or politics, we wish to unite for the preservation and protection of children and families, and collectively demand a ceasefire RIGHT NOW. In our thousands, in our millions, we are all Palestinians.”

Protests were also held in Birmingham, Oxford, Dorchester, Hackney, Walthamstow, and Ilford. 

Read more: Gaza ceasefire vote: How did my MP vote? Full list of rebels

Save the Children country director Jason Lee said: "One child’s death is one too many, but these are grave violations of epic proportions.

"A ceasefire is the only way to ensure their safety. The international community must put people before politics – every day spent debating is leaving children killed and injured.”

This week MSPs overwhelmingly voted to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza

While First Minister Humza Yousaf called for Rishi Sunak and the UK Government to recognise the state of Palestine.  

It comes after MPs in Westminster voted against an SNP amendment calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, with many Labour politicians breaking ranks with the party leader Keir Starmer to vote for it.