Tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets across Italy on Friday (October 3), as part of a day-long general strike called by unions in support of an aid flotilla carrying food to Gaza that was intercepted by Israel this week.

The CGIL trade union planned demonstrations in more than 100 cities. In the capital, crowds marched from the central Piazza Vittorio towards the main train station, holding union and Palestinian flags, as well as banners.

Protesters in Palermo said that Italy should take a "stand against Israel and its policies," with another adding that a Palestinian state should be recognised.

Italy will only recognise a Palestinian state if all Israeli hostages are released and the Hamas militant group is excluded from any government role, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on September 23.

The strike caused delays and cancellations across Italy's rail network, with more limited disruptions at airports. Metro lines continued operating in both Rome and Milan.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

PALERMO, ITALY (OCTOBER 3, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTERS WAVING FLAGS

2. PROTESTERS CHANTING

3. MAN AT PROTEST SPEAKING INTO MICROPHONE

4. PEOPLE WAVING PALESTINIAN AND TRADE UNION FLAGS

5. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE WAVING PALESTINIAN AND PEACE FLAGS

6. PEOPLE WALKING DURING PROTEST

7. PEOPLE HOLDING BANNER AT PROTEST

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) TRADE UNIONIST, GIORGIO MARTINICO, SAYING:

"From our point of view, we just have to keep fighting. The mobilisation is ongoing; this is the third general strike we have organised in just a few weeks. Governments must take a stand against Israel and its policies."

9. PEOPLE SINGING "BELLA CIAO"

10. PEOPLE WALKING DURING PROTEST

11. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) PROTESTER, AGNESE CIULLA, SAYING:

"I believe that states must recognise the State of Palestine, as well as all those territories that today suffer violence, aggression, and wars. And I believe we have a duty to make everyone recognise the chance for a way of life that allows people to look towards the future."

12. PROTESTERS WAVING FLAGS

13. MAN WEARING SIGN READING (Italian): "Not in my name"

14. PEOPLE WAVING PALESTINIAN AND TRADE UNION FLAGS

15. WOMEN WEARING FACE PAINT

16. PEOPLE WALKING DURING PROTEST

ROME, ITALY (OCTOBER 3, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

17. SIGN READING (Italian): "Stop the Israeli occupation"

18. VARIOUS OF PEOPLE CARRYING PALESTINIAN AND TRADE UNION FLAGS

19. PEOPLE CARRYING BANNER

20. POLICE OUTSIDE TERMINI TRAIN STATION

21. PROTESTER WEARING HAT READING (Italian): "I am Global Sumud Flotilla too"

22. PROTESTERS CHANTING (Italian): "Israel terrorist state"

23. PROTESTERS HOLDING SIGN READING (Italian): "Stop the genocide in Gaza"

24. VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WALKING AND CARRYING FLAGS