Sunday marks six months since the Hamas attack on Israel, and the beginning of the war in Gaza. The human cost has been devastating with tens of thousands of civilians killed and hostages still in captivity.

Outside of Hamilton’s mountain mosque Sunday afternoon, protestors prepared to send a strong message to Canada’s leaders.

“I would like for the Palestine cause to be delivered in a way that their human rights are respected and that this Canadian government follows the rules of the ICJ, the International Court of Justice System,” says Natasha Kurd.

In a preliminary ruling issued in late January, the International Court of Justice ordered Israel to prevent genocide in Gaza.

But protestors say the Israeli military’s killing of civilians continues to worsen, with death tolls estimating that more than 33,000 Gazans have been killed.

READ MORE: ‘Palestine is not for sale:’ Israeli event promoting West Bank property draws critics

On Sunday, a large car rally headed to Toronto to pressure politicians to end the war and suffering.

Over at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre, members of the region’s Jewish community are celebrating Jewish culture with a film festival.

But the close to 130 hostages still being held in Gaza are top of mind for many.

“How they are surviving this, it’s really hard to believe and explain and comprehend, but we think about them every day,” says Gustavo Rymberg from the Jewish Federation of Hamilton.

The Hamilton Jewish Federation was forced to find a new venue when the Playhouse Cinema in central Hamilton backed out of hosting the festival after receiving serious threats.

“What happened with the other location was like really sad. We didn’t silence our voices we spoke and the people supported us,” says Rymberg.

Protestors across the world took to the streets Sunday to demand a permanent ceasefire and the release of hostages.

READ MORE: Tensions in Canada remain high as Israel, Hamas explore potential ceasefire