"Amsterdam was marked by contrasting scenes on Sunday, as thousands gathered in the city centre to celebrate the end of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, while a separate candlelight vigil mourned those killed in global conflicts including Gaza. Footage showed rabbis lighting the menorah, people singing and dancing, and attendees carrying Israeli flags during the ceremony. The event was attended by numerous politicians and members of parliament, underscoring its political weight amid heightened tensions. Attendee Farrokh Goddarz, who is originally from Iran, said the celebration was meant to promote unity. “I think we make separate between Hamas organisation, terrorist organisation, and Palestine. It must be much better that they come also here and celebrate together because we need worldwide peace and separately it doesn't work," Goddarz said. "In Iran we have also a very famous celebration named Chelle or Yalda, and it's exactly the same day today. And I come here to show our solidarity, solidarity of Iranian people to the Israeli people,” he added, before expressing hope that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump can help to achieve peace in the Middle East. At the same time, pro-Palestine supporters assembled at the Dominicuskerk, where they held a solemn vigil, lit candles, and prayed for civilians killed in Gaza. “We organised this vigil today in Dominica's Church in Amsterdam for the people who suffer from the violence of war and genocide in Palestine, in Congo, in Sudan, in Myanmar, in Azerbaijan, and in many other places. I think we have to be very mindful to make a distinction between the Jewish feast of Hanukkah and, on the other side, what the state of Israel is doing,” the organiser said. "We think it's really important to be in solidarity with these people and to carry our grief together," she added. This comes after at least six people were killed and dozens injured on Friday evening in an alleged Israeli strike that hit a school and a vocational training centre sheltering displaced families in the At-Tuffah neighbourhood of eastern Gaza City, according to Palestinian media. Israel has carried out a military campaign in the enclave since October 7, 2023, killing 70,669 Palestinians and injuring 171,165, according to Palestinian health authorities. Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement that came into effect on October 10 under the 20-point 'Trump Plan', which includes an immediate halt to fighting, the release of all hostages, living and deceased, and the entry of humanitarian aid."