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CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- Eyes across the world are focused on Gaza, including President Joe Biden who spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time Saturday since taking office.

He also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This comes after an destroyed a building that housed the Associated Press and Al Jazeera offices as well as residents in the Gaza Strip.

Here locally, residents are also concerned about that violence happening overseas. In Carbondale, dozens were out to protest against the actions that the Israeli military is taking in Gaza and are calling for a "Free Palestine."

Protestors of all ages were at the corner of Illinois Avenue and Main Street near the Pavilion in downtown. Many were holding signs and chanting, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free."

Palestinians living across Illinois traveled for the demonstration including Abdallah Abu-Sara, who traveled from Springfield. He says it's about human rights, not religion.

"We all came together to speak about everything that's been happening in Palestine. We all came together because we truly believe there is an occupation of our people," says Abu-Sara. "We had all kinds of people of different nationalities, different religions coming here to support us because it's a part of one cause."

The group plans to return each week for as long as military action continues. They say the goal is to create awareness about what's taking place and the violence against Palestinians in the region.

At this time, says, his forces are targeting terrorist organizations and doing what they can to avoid innocent citizens.