BBC headquarters covered with red paint by Palestinian activists
The BBC's London headquarters has been vandalised with red paint overnight
PA
The BBC's London headquarters has been vandalised with red paint overnight as the broadcaster faces backlash.
Footage shared on social media shows the entrance to the building covered in red paint, with the floor, glass revolving doors and walls doused.
Palestine Action sprayed the headquarters with blood red paint, in response to it's recent coverage of Palestine, which according to the group "has been complicit in manufacturing consent for the occupation's genocide of Palestinians". The action occurred before a protest for Palestine was due to begin at the BBC HQ.
The broadcaster came under fire this week after refusing to name Hamas "terrorists" as conflict between the group and Israel rages on.
Newsnight host Victoria Derbyshire share a video of the scene, writing: "Just arrived at work. This is the front entrance to BBC this morning."
Footage shared on social media shows the entrance to the building covered in red paint, with the floor, glass revolving doors and walls doused
PA
The Metropolitan police said: "We are aware of criminal damage to a building in Portland Place, W1A. At this stage there is no suggestion this is linked to any protest group."
It comes as thousands of people have taken to the streets of London in solidarity with Palestine and demand Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian land.
War broke out this week after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on Saturday, killing 1300 civilians, which led to Israeli forces vowing to turn the Gaza Strip into "rubble".
During reports on the conflict, the BBC has continuously refused to call Hamas "terrorists".
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Explaining the decision, a BBC spokesperson said this week: "Our coverage of the unprecedented assault on Israel by Hamas has made clear the nature of the atrocities committed and the impact this has had on civilians,’ the statement began.
"Across our reporting we have explained that Hamas is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by many Western governments, including the UK.
"We have reflected the response from the international community to Hamas’ actions, and featured contributors who have described them as terrorists.
"We have given careful consideration to all aspects of our reporting of the Israel-Gaza conflict, both in terms of Hamas’ attacks and Israel’s response – this includes the language that we use.
During reports on the conflict, the BBC has continuously refused to call Hamas 'terrorists'
PA
"The BBC is editorially independent; our role is to explain precisely what is happening so that the public can make their own judgements.
"Our longstanding position, including during previous conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, has been that we do not use the term “terrorist” without attribution, in line with the BBC’s Editorial Guidelines."
Overnight, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) carried out "localised raids" in Gaza ahead of a full-scale invasion.
Around 1.1 million people are under pressure to leave the area and move closer to the Israeli-Egyptian border after a 24 hour evacuation order of northern Gaza was issued.