Prominent Jewish groups organized a march at the parliament building this Monday afternoon in solidarity with Israel.

The Center for Israel and Jewish Affairs says the purpose of the event is to be a show of collective strength in the face of what it calls rising anti-Semitism.

Among the speakers were people whose family members were killed by Hamas militants on October 7, and a Canadian woman whose Israeli cousin is among the hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

Among them were also Deputy Conservative Leader Melissa Lantsman and Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, in addition to the Israeli ambassador to Canada.

The organizers say they want to bring together people who believe in Israel's right to exist and its need to defend itself against terrorism, and they will call on the international community to push for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

It was noted that the number of attendees was not large compared to popular marches organized to condemn the war on Gaza and reject the brutal aggression that Israel is carrying out against the unarmed civilians there, calling for an immediate ceasefire.

Israel resumed its deadly air raids on southern Gaza at the weekend after a week-long ceasefire collapsed on Friday, with both sides blaming each other.

The Israeli army said more than 250 rockets have been launched from Gaza since the ceasefire ended.

Israeli officials say 137 people are still held hostage in Gaza. Another 105 were released during the ceasefire in exchange for the release of 240 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, with most of those released from both sides being women and children.

It is estimated that about 1,200 Israelis were killed on the day Hamas fighters launched attacks from Gaza, and more than 15,500 Palestinians have been killed in the near two-month bombing since then.

The possibility of reaching a new ceasefire agreement seems remote, and Israel recalled its negotiators, while the Hamas deputy leader said any further hostage release would only occur in the context of ending the war.

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said on Saturday that his office is serious about proceeding with an investigation into allegations of war crimes on both sides.