Demonstrators gathered in Kaizersgracht Street in the CBD today and marched to Parliament.

CAPE TOWN - Former president Nelson Mandela's eldest grandson says his family fully supports Palestine.

Tens of thousands of protesters brought the Cape Town CBD to a standstill shutting off several roads and causing major delays this afternoon.

Chief Mandla Mandela accepted a memorandum on behalf of Parliament which was drawn up by the National Coalition for Palestine.

Mandla Mandela says South Africans must stand together to provide support to women and children in particular at risk of losing their lives in war-torn Gaza.

"My grandfather was always passionate about the cause of the Palestinians and he used to always proclaim that South Africa's freedom is not complete without the Palestinians freedom."

Mandela adds he's been deployed by Parliament to accept the memorandum today as the speaker and deputy speaker were unable to attend. Included in the memo is an appeal for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to South Africa and the withdrawal of South Africa's ambassador to Israel.

There were some emotional people among tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators in Cape Town.

The demonstrators gathered in Keizersgracht Street in the CBD earlier today and marched to Parliament, where the precinct was later flooded with people.

Traffic was at a standstill as cars were gridlocked among the marchers.

People holding up placards were singing and clapping in unison as they marched through the streets.

This man says he hopes the war in Gaza ends soon.

"I'm here today to support a peaceful government in Palestine, freedom of all people, equal rights to all, not only to an exclusive few. Israeli settlers, give the land back to the people. Let everybody share the land, live as one."

Palestinian officials say at least five people have been killed in renewed Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.

Three died in an apparent attack on Hamas the other two were killed as they rode a motorbike.

Israel claims they were militants.

Early on Friday a three day truce between the Israelis and Palestinians expired and the deadly conflict resumed.

The IDF's Peter Lerner insists they are trying everything they can to avoid civilian casualties.