Protesters demanding Gaza ceasefire block terminal at San Francisco airport

Hundreds of anti-war protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and calling for an end to US military assistance for Israel blocked the international terminal at the San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday.

Footage from the scene showed protesters carrying banners with messages such as "Permanent Ceasefire Now," "Stop the World for Gaza" and "Stop Arming Israel".

Protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza have occurred in many US cities in recent months, including near airports and bridges in New York City and Los Angeles, vigils outside the White House and marches in Washington.

This month, large protests were seen ahead of US President Joe Biden's State of the Union address and the Oscars. Demonstrators have regularly interrupted Biden's campaign events and speeches.

Airport officials said the international terminal remained open but passengers were re-routed around the activity. Activists blocked the roadway outside the airport, marched in circles and chanted slogans.

Passengers planning to reach the terminal were told to get dropped off at the rental car centre and take an air train to the terminal. There were no known flight delays.

Most of Gaza has been flattened in Israel's offensive that has killed over 31,000 people, displaced nearly all of its 2.3 million population and led to a starvation crisis in the narrow coastal enclave.