What happened at Den Haag Centraal
Pro-Palestinian activists gathered at Den Haag Centraal station and deliberately sat on several train tracks, triggering a major disruption to rail services. Reports indicate that roughly twenty demonstrators occupied tracks on multiple lines, prompting ProRail to halt trains to and from the central station. An ANP correspondent noted that the situation also saw the station’s concourse filling with protesters who had earlier breached access gates in the hall, shouting slogans including Free Palestine.
In the surrounding area, authorities worked to manage the scene. Police attempted to remove activists from both the station building and the tracks themselves. By the early evening, local media reported that about five people had been arrested and transported away by bus, with ongoing efforts to restore order and safety. The presence of demonstrators on the tracks temporarily stranded at least one train, illustrating the real-time impact on commuters and travelers in the area.
Impact on travel and safety
The NS reported that train services were expected to be disrupted until approximately 21:45, with guidance for travelers from Leiden, Zoetermeer, and Delft to seek alternatives where possible. The disruption covered not only Den Haag Centraal but also affected connections through nearby stations, complicating schedules across multiple lines. The situation drew a large turnout, with hundreds of people gathering in and around the station, some of whom had previously demonstrated near the Ministry of Foreign Affairs earlier in the day before moving toward the station.
Officials described a tense scene as officers negotiated with demonstrators and worked to reopen access to the platforms. Some protesters had reportedly entered the station through restricted points, and police were tasked with maintaining order while ensuring the safety of passengers and staff. The disruption underscored the broader tensions surrounding the flotilla incident from the previous night, when activists attempting to transport aid by boat to Gaza were detained by Israeli forces. In Den Haag, the public debate about how to respond to such actions intersected with routine concerns about travel reliability and passenger safety.
Context and ongoing coverage
The protests at Den Haag Centraal fit into a broader pattern of demonstrations tied to the Gaza situation. Earlier in the day, riot police (ME) intervened as demonstrators gathered outside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and after that confrontation a portion of the group redirected to the rail hub. Demonstrators urges the Dutch government to support activists who were aiming to deliver aid by boat to Gaza, arguing that humanitarian corridors should be protected even as international tensions escalate.
Authorities have emphasized the need to balance freedom of expression with public safety and uninterrupted essential services. As the scene evolves, authorities and train operators are likely to provide updates on service restoration, alternative travel arrangements, and any further arrests or detentions. For travelers planning trips, monitoring official NS advisories and local transit updates remains essential, especially for routes passing through The Hague region and adjacent cities.
What comes next
Officials indicated that operations would gradually resume as the situation allows. Local police will continue to work with transit authorities to clear tracks, restore normal service, and address safety concerns. Observers will be watching for resolutions on how such protests are managed in the future, including whether additional permits or guidelines are issued to prevent similar disruptions while respecting the rights of demonstrators.
