Hundreds of demonstrators hit the streets of downtown Minneapolis on Sunday to rally against Israel's war in Gaza, a day before Israel marks one year since the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

The British Independent identified the individual as “Samuel Mena Jr.” He set himself on fire during the protests in front of the White House and was quickly taken to the hospital by those nearby. Videos circulating in the media show his left hand engulfed in flames, and he can be heard screaming in pain.

Some wore keffiyeh scarfs, waved Palestinian and Lebanese flags and held a large cardboard image of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with red paint symbolizing blood across his face.

Thousands of protesters took to the streets in several major cities around the world on Saturday to demand an end to bloodshed in Gaza, as the conflict in the Palestinian enclave approaches its first anniversary and spreads in the wider region.

PARIS/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Thousands of protesters took to the streets in major cities around the world on Saturday demanding an end to bloodshed in Gaza and the wider Middle East ahead of the first anniversary of the deadly Hamas attack on Israel.

Hundreds pro-Palestinian demonstrators rallied in Congo Square Saturday night calling for a ceasefire and an end to the Israel-Hamas war that started in Gaza a year ago and has since spread to other fronts in the Middle East.

As pro-Palestinian protestors reflect on the last year, they continue to call for a ceasefire and an immediate arms embargo.

The war in Gaza, which started on 7 October last year, has seen more than 41,000 Palestinians killed and decimated the Strip. Almost 100 Israelis are still being held hostage by Hamas, with fewer than 70 believed to be alive.