DaytonDailyNews.com

DAYTON — More than 150 people took part in a pro-Palestinian rally at scattered sites in downtown Dayton Friday, Jan. 2, as fighting between Israel and Hamas continued.

Among the marchers was Basel Namara, 46, of Dayton, who grew up in the Gaza Strip. He moved to the United States in 1988 as a college student and now works in the Miami Valley.

Namara said he still has family living in Gaza, including a sister who cut short her phone conversation with him the other day during the ongoing Israeli assault on the Palestinian territory.

"I'm very panicked for them," he said.

The marchers protested outside the Dayton Convention Center before making stops near the federal courthouse and Courthouse Square. People held signs, waved Palestinian flags and chanted slogans like "Free Palestine."

Participant Lamia Ali, 16, of Dayton and her sisters, Yasmin, 14, and Amira, 11, moved here with their family from Palestine five years ago. They are pained watching news footage of innocent children being killed.

Yasmin held a sign proclaiming, "Peace for All." When asked if she believes that peace is possible, she said, "I hope so."

Israel has been building up artillery, armor and infantry on Gaza's border in an indication the week-old air assault against Gaza's Hamas rulers could imminently expand with a ground incursion, the Associated Press reported Friday. Meanwhile, international pressure has been building for a cease-fire that would block more fighting.