Thousands of people opposed to Israel’s bombardment of Gaza have taken to the streets in London in a mass demonstration to try and intensify pressure on the British government.

Arranged by a compendium of anti-war campaigners and religious organisations, the march, from the BBC’s headquarters near Oxford Circus to Hyde Park, was claimed by organisers to have had as many as 150,000 in attendance.

The Met Police told The Independent that it was entirely peaceful and no arrests were made. The force would not confirm how many people it estimated had taken part.

Protesters’ travelled past the US Embassy en route to the central London park, waving “Free Palestine” placards and flags, while chanting that the Israeli offensive is a “massacre.”

In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Show all 12 1 /12 In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London Protesters march down Regent Street on 9 August (Getty) Getty In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London A religious Jewish man stands with pro-Palestinian supporters during the rally in Hyde Park on 9 August (Getty) Getty In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London An image tweeted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign from the 'roof of the BBC' (PSC/Twitter) Palestine Solidarity Campaign/Twitter In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London A protester at the rally in London on 9 August (Getty) Getty In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London People stand with their placards during the London protest on 9 August (Getty) Getty In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London A Gooners Against Apartheid flag during the march on 9 August (Karim Ghani/Facebook) Karim Ghani/Facebook In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London People wave banners from a property in Mayfair as a rally to support the people of Gaza passes by on 9 August (Reuters) Reuters In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London A Spurs Fans Against Apartheid banner on 9 August (Karim Ghani/Facebook) Karim Ghani/Facebook In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London An aerial image tweeted by the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC/Twitter) Palestine Solidarity Campaign/Twitter In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London Demonstrators join a rally to support the people of Gaza in central London on 9 August (Reuters) Reuters In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London A protester clad in the colours of the Palestinian flag joins the rally on 9 August (Reuters) Reuters In pictures: 2014 Israel-Gaza protest in London Israel-Gaza protest, London Protestors listen to speeches in Hyde Park at the end of the march on 9 August (Getty) Getty

Vocal opponents of Israel’s airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, including Lib Dem MP David Ward and Labour politician Jeremy Corbyn, also took part in the protests.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign, one of the core organisers of the event, said in a statement yesterday that it wants the march to bring a stop to UK military and industrial collaboration with Israel.

“[The demonstration] will increase the pressure on the British Government to introduce an immediate arms embargo on the State of Israel,” it said.

A samba band entertained protesters while a number of flags made by football fans were held above the crowd.

A Jewish father told a Press Association reporter that while many of his Jewish friends were equally as outraged by the apocalyptic images emanating from the region, they were too "uncomfortable" to join the march.

Dan Rosenberg, 43, said: “It is horrific what is going on in Gaza. It is collective punishment. I don't know how any human being can stand back while this is happening.

“But it is difficult being here. We have seen the anti-Semitic attitudes [elsewhere] and you feel very threatened and scared, but we feel we have to stand up and represent.

“I have Jewish friends who wanted to come but they felt uncomfortable being here.”

A teenager described how if she was in the same situation as Palestinians, she would want the international community to stick up for her.

“People shouldn't stand by and watch an injustice. I have little brothers and sisters and if I was in that situation I would want people globally to fight for me,” Yasmin Rackal, 17, said.