Protesters block northbound I-5, demand cease-fire in Israel-Hamas war

A group of demonstrators calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war is blocking northbound traffic on Interstate 5 in Seattle near Pine Street and just south of Denny Way, causing a 6-mile backup.

Traffic is being diverted onto eastbound Interstate 90, the state Department of Transportation posted on the social media platform X.

Soon after the blockade began around 1:15 p.m., the Washington State Patrol posted that “troopers are approaching to handle.” The Seattle Police Department asked people to avoid the area.

Thousands of additional demonstrators filled the Olive Way overpass, cheering in support of the blockade. Demonstrators chanted “free, free Palestine” and “hey hey, ho ho, the occupation has got to go.”

Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack from Gaza into southern Israel killed around 1,200 people, and some 250 others were taken hostage, The Associated Press reports. Israel’s air, ground and sea assault in Gaza has killed more than 22,400 people, two-thirds of them women and children, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-ruled territory. The count does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Reporting from The Associated Press was used in this story.