The more than 300 peaceful protesters in Canberra were among thousands of Australians who called for a ceasefire in response to escalating violence in the region over the weekend.

More than 100 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds more injured in the latest round of Israeli air strikes.

Most of the victims have been civilians, many of them women and children.

Bearing signs that read "Keep calm and support Palestine'' and "End Gaza seige", the activists called on Australia to demand Israel put an end to the attacks.

The event was organised by Concerned Canberrans for Peace and speakers included the head of the Palestinian delegation to Australia, Izzat Abdu Hadi, and human rights activist Dr Kevin Bray.

Event organiser Emad Soliman described the violence as mass murder and said Israel's allies, including Australia, had a responsibility to intervene.

"For 170 men, women and children to have been killed up until now is gruesome.

"We stand out with a lot of faith there will be some kind of political action to stop the mayhem.

“We are asking our politicians to actively use democratic processes to support an immediate cessation to the aggression against Palestine and to work towards finding a fair, just and long-lasting peace in the Middle East."