Before the Union's speech demonstrators demand that Biden press for a ceasefire in Gaza

Ahead of the State of the Union speech delivered by US President Joe Biden, several parts of the United States witnessed protests demanding that the US President press for a permanent ceasefire in the war that Israel has been waging for months against the Gaza Strip.

Scattered protests took place across the United States ahead of US President Joe Biden's State of the Union address on Thursday, during which activists asked him to press for a permanent ceasefire in the war that Israel has been waging for months in the Gaza Strip.

Protesters blocked traffic in Boston and Los Angeles, and according to one group and local media report, more than 50 people were arrested in Boston.

Before Biden's speech, dozens gathered near the White House, prompting police to close a nearby road.

Ahmed Abu Zneid, executive director of the American Campaign for Palestinian Rights, said: “We are here today because enough is enough,” according to Reuters.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said the speech is Biden's "best and perhaps last opportunity" to announce steps to ease the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and restore the support of Arabs, Palestinians and anti-war Americans who are disillusioned with his policy.

Senior US administration officials said earlier that Biden will discuss US plans to build a port in Gaza to ship humanitarian aid.

Hours before the speech was delivered, the US Capitol building was cordoned off with a high wire fence, as is customary before the annual presidential address to both chambers of Congress.