Europe as a war zone: "Boycott Israel," "Global Movement for Gaza," "Block Everything" VIDEO/PHOTO

Belgian police intervened and dispersed pro-Palestinian demonstrators in the center of Brussels, with tear gas also used against the crowd, reports Flemish Radio and Television.

Several protesters were arrested, with batons used in the process, while police continued to chase them down in smaller groups.

According to Brussels police, more than 4,000 people took part in the protests, while organizers from the “Global Movement to Gaza” estimated that there were at least 20,000.

The gathering began in front of the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after which the demonstrators marched toward the European quarter, where tensions started to rise.

In front of the European Parliament, police set up barricades with barbed wire, while riot control units equipped to disperse demonstrations were on standby, along with water cannons.

The demonstrators carried Palestinian flags and chanted slogans such as “Boycott Israel,” condemning the Israeli army for intercepting ships carrying activists, doctors, and journalists who had tried to deliver aid to Gaza.

Organizers in Rome claimed that 50,000 people took part in the march, while in several cities a general strike and further protests were announced, reported Ansa.

In Rome, demonstrators, called by the Italian “Global Movement for Gaza,” marched from the Colosseum to the Circus Maximus.

From Porta San Paolo, the organizers declared: “We are blocking everything.”

Police reported that by around 8:00 p.m., about 10,000 participants had reached the Circus Maximus.

In the courtyard of an art school in the Villa Pamphili area, a physical altercation broke out between pro-Palestinian students and members of the local Jewish community — the police intervened and launched an investigation.

The University of La Sapienza in Rome was partially blocked — the Faculty of Humanities announced that, where possible, lectures would be held online and urged students to follow official updates.

In Turin, more than 20,000 people joined the afternoon march.

A group of demonstrators split off and vandalized the OGR (Officine Grandi Riparazioni) complex — windows and gates were smashed, furniture was destroyed, and journalists filming the incident were threatened, reports Ansa.

Police dispersed a group of about 200 masked individuals.

At Turin’s Caselle Airport, several dozen demonstrators broke through the fences, leading to a temporary suspension of boarding, while one flight to London was delayed by three hours.

In Bologna, clashes broke out during a march organized by members of the USB (Unione Sindacale di Base) union and student groups.

Police used tear gas outside the main station after protesters tried to approach the tracks, and pyrotechnics were also set off.

Rail traffic at Bologna Centrale station was suspended “due to the presence of demonstrators on the tracks,” the state railways announced.

In Florence, protesters entered the Santa Maria Novella station, where about 5,000 people went down onto the tracks, blocking train arrivals and departures.

Police carried out several interventions, and a number of officers were injured — three of whom, according to sources, required medical treatment.

Regional and high-speed trains were diverted or delayed.

Students occupied the University of Milan and announced their participation in the general strike following reports about boarding the Flotilla ships.

An afternoon march toward the Duomo gathered hundreds of participants. Earlier demonstrations had partially blocked the Milano Cadorna station.

In Naples, a march began at Piazza del Carmine and moved toward the eastern part of the city. Several hundred demonstrators, under heavy police presence, attempted to enter the port, but their efforts to break through barriers were repelled.

In Venice, students hung a banner reading “Free Palestine” on the university building.

In Pisa, around 300 students occupied the rectorate and announced they would remain at the faculty until today’s protests.

In Bari, students occupied a classroom and demanded the suspension of university agreements with Israel.

In Prato and Livorno, traffic blockades and platform occupations were reported.

Protesters announced further actions under the slogan “Block Everything,” including a general strike and a national march for Gaza in Rome.

Israeli officials stated that the navy intercepted 41 vessels carrying more than 400 activists attempting to break the naval blockade of Gaza.

The operation lasted about 12 hours, after which all participants were transferred to the Israeli port of Ashdod and handed over to the police.

Among those detained are seven Belgian citizens, confirmed Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.

He said they would first be taken to the port of Ashdod and then into custody, where they would be provided with consular assistance as soon as possible. “The safety, health, and return of our citizens are a priority,” Prévot stressed.