Overview

• The Israeli navy intercepted the Freedom Flotilla in international waters overnight on Oct. 7–8, arresting crews bound for Gaza and transferring them to Ashdod for questioning, the Italian Foreign Ministry said.
• Police estimated about 6,000 people marched in Rome from the Colosseum to Piramide, with parallel rallies drawing roughly 1,500–3,000 in Milan and hundreds in Bologna and Naples.
• Reports cited 145 activists detained in the flotilla operation, including around 10 Italians and medical staff such as Rome nurse Stefano Argenio.
• Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the government is evaluating measures to strengthen the public‑order "security framework", noting 8,674 major protests this year, 242 with order issues and 330 police injuries overall.
• Officials flagged 733 antisemitic reports since Oct. 7, 2023, as Freedom Flotilla Italia highlighted additional demonstrations across numerous smaller cities.