Pro-Palestinian protesters march through Sydney and Melbourne as conflict erupts again

Hundreds of pro-Palestinian supporters have gathered in both Sydney and Melbourne this afternoon.

In Sydney’s CBD, they moved slowly down George Street, chanting ‘free Gaza’, wearing fake blood and carrying their children in their arms.

The rallies come as five more Palestinians were killed yesterday, bringing the death toll from the conflict to almost 2000.

Police said the Sydney rally was peaceful and there had been no arrests.

Thousands of Sydneysiders have attended opposing rallies in the city during the month-long Israel-Gaza conflict.

Israeli warplanes have pounded targets in Gaza today.

Militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel after attempts to extend a three-day truce stalled.

The conflict has flared once again after mediators tried but failed to extend a ceasefire that expired yesterday as Palestinian militants shattered the quiet with pre-dawn rocket attacks.

The violence ended the 72-hour lull in fighting between Israel and Hamas that has killed at least 1,898 Palestinians and 67 people on the Israeli side, almost all soldiers, since July 8.

The United States still hopes that the situation can be retrieved and said a new ceasefire could be in place soon.