News - World: Thousands marched through the streets of the Italian capital in a show of solidarity with the Global Sumud Flotilla after it was intercepted by the Israeli navy while attempting to break the siege of Gaza. 

Footage showed demonstrators on Friday marching with Palestinian and union flags. The crowd could also be seen holding up signs and banners reading, 'Stop the genocide, stop agreements with Israel" and "Gaza, we are coming." 

"The Israeli regime is criminal. It blocked the flotilla in international waters, committing a crime against international law," said Lorenzo, a demonstrator. 

He said that the flotilla would've achieved 'incredible' results, had it received support from the European Union. He also slammed what he described as lack of action from Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, after she called flotilla activists "irresponsible," and claimed that the mission would not "benefit Palestine." 

"I would like to ask Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni what concrete things she has done to help the Palestinian people?" he commented. "She said that this aid is useless, that these protests are useless. So, considering that she said it takes only a few hours to help the Palestinians in Gaza, I would like to ask her why she doesn't bring them the humanitarian aid." 

The strike was primarily organized by Italy's largest trade union, CGIL. The union reported that approximately 100,000 people joined the action in Milan and said the demonstration aimed to pressure the Italian government to suspend its defense and trade agreements with the regime. 

Israeli forces intercepted the Global Sumud Flotilla's 44 ships, detaining more than 400 activists — including 40 Italians — as well as Greta Thunberg and Mandla Mandela. The regime stated that none of the boats had reached Gaza. 

The Palestinian foreign ministry called the interception a violation of international law, while protests in support of the flotilla erupted in cities around the world. 

The GSF said it was trying to breach the Israeli blockade and deliver aid to the enclave, while Tel Aviv accused it of violating a "lawful blockade," vowing to stop the mission and called it a publicity stunt.

(Source: AFP)