Rome under siege: Illegal protest escalates amid violence

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

Before the demonstration, which took place despite opposition from the authorities, the centre of Rome turned into a fortress due to fears of possible violent protests.

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

At least 24 police officers were injured, according to the Ansa agency. The agency also reports three injured demonstrators; four participants were arrested.

Participants of the rally, among them 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 genocide in the Gaza Strip. At Piazzale Ostiense, the starting point of the demonstration, chants of "New Intifada" were heard.

Among the many Palestinian and Lebanese flags, the pro-Iranian Hezbollah banner also appeared.

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 Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

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

Before the anniversary, security was increased at historic sites in the ghettos of Rome and Venice.