Protesters detained after gathering in Capitol complex against Israel-Hamas war

Hundreds of people protesting the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday occupied one of the buildings in the U.S. Capitol complex and some appeared to be arrested by U.S. Capitol Police.

The demonstrators, organized by a left-wing Jewish group, entered the building at different security entrance points and then assembled in the Cannon House Office Building rotunda, a Capitol Police spokesperson said.

More than 100 people had gathered in the rotunda and were protesting when authorities began to detain them.

Police did not have an immediate estimate on how many protesters who occupied the building were then detained.

Protesters, just like everyone else, can legally enter the Capitol complex and only risk legal issues when they start causing a disturbance, according to the police spokesperson.

Police departments from the surrounding areas were called in to help at the complex on Wednesday, including Washington's Metropolitan Police and officers from Virginia, according to law enforcement sources.

Some lawmakers, who have offices in the Cannon House Office Building, chided the demonstrators.

"The irony is the US Constitution protects these protesters freedom to be absolute idiots," Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., wrote in a post on X.

ABC News' Jack Date contributed to this report.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

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