Activists of Muslim and anti-war movements have staged a rally near the Israeli embassy in London ahead of the first anniversary of Israel''s offensive on the Gaza Strip.

The Gaza Strip has been the subject of an almost continuous Israeli blockade since Hamas took control of the enclave in the summer of 2007, and an Israeli air and ground offensive at the turn of the year killed some 1,400 Palestinians, including hundreds of civilians.

Over 100 activists, who gathered in Kensington, West London, on Sunday were cordoned off by the police almost immediately and were unable to get close to the embassy, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported.

The gathering was organized by Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War Coalition, British Muslim Initiative and Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. The participant waved "Free Palestine" banners and gathered signatures for a petition to end the Israeli blockade on the enclave.

No major incidents were reported during the rally, though it caused traffic jams on the overcrowded street.