Istanbul stands behind Gaza in massive New Year's protest rally

Tens of thousands of participants gathered in mosques during the morning prayer and started marching with a cortege for the "Mercy to our martyrs, support for Palestine, curse on Israel" event organized by the National Will Platform with the participation of 308 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) under the leadership of the Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA).

The protest aimed to condemn the Israeli bombardment of Palestine and terrorism, weeks after PKK attacks martyred a dozen Turkish soldiers in northern Iraq.

Many of the marchers began their journey with morning prayer at Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque and other mosques across the city.

The protesters held signs, like the one pictured in Turkish that translates to "The sun will rise over Gaza," supporting Palestine, condemning Israel's violence or calling for an end to terrorism.

The march concluded on Istanbul's famous Galata Bridge connecting to its historic peninsula.

A protester walks on a poster labeling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a "katil" ("murderer").

The crowd spilled into the square in Eminönü, near Galata Bridge.

A banner reading "Adil bir dünya mümkün" or "A just world is possible" was unfurled along the bridge.

Demonstrators from the march hold a banner reading "murderer, terrorist, Israel" near Galata Bridge.