Pro-Palestine supporters disrupt Seattle Christmas tree lighting

A group of pro-Palestinian supporters congregated Friday during Seattle's annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Westlake Center.

A KOMO photographer traveled to the event, where they captured hundreds of supporters holding signs in support of Palestine. The lighting of the Westlake Center Christmas tree occurred shortly after 5:15 p.m., with the Macy's Star and fireworks taking place afterward.

One of the many signs that can be seen read, "Stand with Palestine! End the occupation now!" Others read, "Palestine will be free!"

The pro-Palestinian supporters gathered as Friday marked the first day of a four-day cease-fire between

On Friday, Hamas who were being held captive in Gaza for weeks, while Israel freed 39 Palestinians from prison, according to the Associated Press. More are expected to be released in the coming days.

More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Roughly 1,200 people have been killed in Israel, mostly during the initial attack by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, which prompted the most recent iteration of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

While Israel halted all imports into Gaza during the war, during the cease-fire, they agreed to allow the delivery of 130,000 liters of fuel per day, according to the Associated Press. Trucks full of cooking gas and other relief supplies were also delivered from Egypt.

Israel instituted a ban on fuel in Gaza, which resulted in hospitals, water systems and shelters struggling to keep their generators running.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that he will press ahead with the war once the cease-fire expires.