Banksy unveils new piece in London

Many are viewing it as a comment on the war between Israel and Hamas

It's thought the piece could be a comment on the war between Israel and Hamas
Author: James DiamondPublished 22nd Dec 2023

Famous Bristol street artist Banksy has revealed a new piece, in London.

Posting on Instagram, the elusive figure has shared photos of three military drones painted on a STOP sign, at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham, south London, close to a zebra crossing.

In less than an hour the post has already been liked nearly 200,000 times.

Banksy has not provided any explanation for the work, but many are taking it as a reference to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Palestine.

"#Ceasefirenow", one person comments, along with an emoji of the Palestinian flag.

Reports suggest at least 20,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since Israel began bombing the territory, in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas that killed 1,200 Israelis.

The United Nations is due to vote on a ceasefire in the territory next week, having already done so once.

On that occasion the US vetoed the idea, saying it would benefit Hamas, while the UK abstained.

Every other nation on the UN Security Council supported the idea.

Banksy has installed some other pieces this year, including Valentine's Day Mascara, a mural weighing 3.8 tonnes, which appeared on the side of a house in Margate, Kent, on Valentine's Day.

The mural depicted a 1950s' housewife with a swollen eye and missing tooth, wearing an apron and yellow washing-up gloves, and throwing a man into a chest freezer.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Greatest Hits Radio app.