Dozens of people braved the rain and cold for a vigil held to grieve for those affected by recent conflict in Gaza.

The event, which was organised by the Oxford Islamic Info Centre, took place at Carfax Tower in Oxford city centre today (Thursday, October 19) at 5.30pm.

Vigil organiser and director of the Islamic Information Centre, Dr Sheikh Ramzy, suggested the occasion had been a success despite the weather.

Oxford Mail: Dozens turned up for the occasion.Dozens turned up for the occasion. (Image: Tom Seaward)

He added: "Everybody was united and many people from different religions and backgrounds came to support Gaza.

"Everybody is concerned about it and it's very sad."

Dr Ramzy said that a vigil will take place every Thursday until there is a ceasefire in the region.

Attendees battled the elements with electric candles and placards, staying put for just over an hour.

Oxford Mail: Dr Sheikh Ramzy pictured.Dr Sheikh Ramzy pictured. (Image: Tom Seaward)

"We believe there are war crimes going on at the moment.

"Many civilians have been killed which is absolutely wrong but of course two wrongs does not make a right.

"People were very keen and wanted to show their support against this atrocity towards little children.

"They want this to stop and nothing less," the sheikh said.

The vigil comes following an intense Israeli bombing campaign on Palestinians and ensuing warning that 1.1 million people in northern Gaza would need to leave their homes, following the deadliest attack on Israel in decades.

Oxford Mail: Police officers at the Oxford Gaza vigil.Police officers at the Oxford Gaza vigil. (Image: Tom Seaward)

Ruvi Ziegler, organiser of a vigil held last week to grieve for Israelis who lost their lives in the initial Hamas attack, had commented at the event: 

 “There’s an Israeli community of sorts in Oxford, particularly around the university, where people come for studies.

"We’re sharing the grief from afar in a way that’s meaningful and respectful.

“We were very keen on it being focused on grief and the release of hostages, and didn’t really want to get into the wider debates."

MP Layla Moran had also turned out to attend the vigil grieving victims of the Hamas attack.

The UN's World Food Programme has described the situation in Gaza as "dire", with food and water running out.

Dr Ramzy outlined how vigils for Palestine were held in Oxford around 10-15 years ago where people from as far as High Wycombe travelled down to attend.

Oxford Mail: Attendees at the Gaza vigil held placards and candles.Attendees at the Gaza vigil held placards and candles. (Image: Tom Seaward)

The sheikh was previously present at a protest held in Oxford last week during which hundreds turned out to show their support for Palestine.

On the vigil, he added: "At the end attendees said they would stay for as long as possible and we let people know how to contact MPs to make a difference.

"I had to say to them to 'please go' because you're going to catch a cold."