Rome unrest: Clashes and chaos at pro‑Palestinian protest

On Saturday in Rome, clashes with the police erupted during an unauthorized pro-Palestinian demonstration attended by about 5,000 people. The police stated that their objective was to isolate the most aggressive demonstrators. A flag of the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah was seen at the scene.

Prior to the demonstration, which occurred despite opposition from authorities, the center of Rome was transformed into a fortress due to fears of potential violent protests.

The police used tear gas and water cannons against aggressive participants in the march supporting Palestinians. Officers were assaulted with stones, bottles, sticks, and torn-out road signs.

According to the Ansa agency, at least 24 police officers were injured. The agency also reports that three demonstrators were injured, and four participants were arrested.

Participants of the rally, including representatives of the Palestinian community, chanted slogans against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. They demanded an end to arms sales to Israel and the cessation of what they called genocide in the Gaza Strip. At Piazzale Ostiense, the starting point of the demonstration, chants of "New Intifada" were heard.

Among the numerous Palestinian and Lebanese flags, the Hezbollah banner also made an appearance.

The demonstration took place two days before the anniversary of a Palestinian Hamas attack on Israel and a week after an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon that resulted in the death of a Hezbollah leader, Hassan Nasrallah.

"Celebrating acts of terrorism is unacceptable, especially on this anniversary," declared Senator Lucio Malan from the Brothers of Italy party.

In anticipation of the anniversary, security was heightened at historic sites in the ghettos of Rome and Venice.