Thousands of pro-Palestinian supporters are expected to attend a march to, and a rally at, the United States Consulate in south Belfast if the Parades Commission gives the green light to the action.
The Parades Commission will decide on Wednesday whether to allow the march, organised by the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign, to take place.
Organisers of the march from Queen's University to the Danesfort House consulate on Stranmillis Road expect approximately 3,000 to be involved. They will march along University, Malone and Stranmillis roads.
Police visited homes in the area to make them aware of the proposed November 4th march. Marchers are expected to leave from Queen's at noon and return by the same route at 2pm, according to the notice filed with the Parades Commission.
One resident of the area was told by police to contact a member of parliament or the assembly with any concerns about the route. There will be a police presence during the march.
“The Commission has received a notification from the ‘Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign’ regarding a proposed parade on Saturday, 4th November in Belfast from University Road to Danesfort Park," a Parades Commission spokesperson said.
“This will be considered by the Commission at its scheduled meeting on 1st November in accordance with its statutory powers.”
A number of marches and rallies have been held to protest against the Israeli bombardment of Gaza, which has left more than 7,000 people dead, according to Hamas. It followed the killing by Hamas of more than 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, in an attack on October 7.
The PSNI has advised there will be traffic disruption in Belfast city centre on Saturday as the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign plans to march from Writers' Square to City Hall.
Marchers are expected to move from the square on Donegall Street along Royal Avenue to Donegall Square North. Police said Donegal Square may be closed for a time while attendees gather for speeches.
On Friday evening, the Israeli military told residents of Gaza City to move south amid an expansion of the country's military operation.
This followed an excursion by Israeli troops, along with armoured vehicles and aircraft, into Gaza. A full scale invasion is expected.
Sue Pentel, of Jews for Palestine-Ireland, said she is proud to support the march and rally at the US consulate.
"As Jews, we condemn what Israel is doing in Gaza, as we watch with horror the rising death toll as a result of the indiscriminate bombardment, the restriction of water, electricity and fuel, and the rising death toll," Belfast-based Ms Pentel said.
"Without US political and military support this would not be happening. The US sends billions of dollars in military aid - further mass slaughter will not just be on Israel's hands but on the hands of the American administration."
