Thousands of protesters on Capitol Hill ahead of Netanyahu speech to Congress | Live updates

WASHINGTON — All eyes are on Capitol Hill Wednesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to address a joint session of Congress around 2 p.m. House Republicans invited the world leader to speak as the war between Israel and Hamas rages on. 

As a result of the visit, several road closures and parking restrictions have been in place for several days, and thousands of protesters -- from both sides -- are making their voices heard. 

By noon, a pro-Palestinian protest had already closed down at least four blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue, right outside the Capitol. Six intersections around the Capitol are completely blocked off with ongoing demonstrations. 

WUSA9 spoke to protesters who said they are just as upset at Netanyahu as they are at American members of congress who invited the Israeli prime minister to address Congress. The crowd appeared to be a diverse group made up of people with Palestinian roots, members of the Jewish community and others who say they are outraged at what's going on in Gaza. 

"It is a slap in the face for this administration and for both parties to be hosting someone who is wanted by the international criminal courts for the role that he's played in the massacre of Palestian people in Gaza," Kaleem Hawa, an organizer of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said. "Our responsibility today is to show mass grassroots anger at this administration's ongoing funding and arming of this genocide." 

While there did not appear to be any counter protesters in support of Netanyahu, a smaller group of relatives of Israeli hostages were holding a vigil on the National Mall. 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Maryland) is presiding over the joint session, and he spoke to WUSA9 about what he hoped this meeting would do. 

"Hopefuly it's an opportunity to advance the peace process in the middle east, to get the hostages released, to find a path forward so that the Palestianians and Istaelis can live together in peace," Cardin said, while acknolwedging that there have been differences between what Netanyahu wants and what American leadership thinks is the right path forward. 

A spokesperson for U.S. Capitol Police told WUSA9 Tuesday that they've been working around the clock with federal, state, and local partners to make sure they are prepared for any unrest. While they wouldn't get into specific security details, they did share that they're adding more officers, including some from outside agencies. The New York City Police Department confirmed they had sent more than 200 officers to assist.

"We were requested by Capitol Police to assist them with some anticipated protests," said NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell. "We've handled close to 4,000 protests. So, unfortunately, we get a lot of practice,"

Fairfax County Police Department and the Montgomery County Police Department were also sending officers.