Rome, clashes at the Palestine march: water cannons, tear gas, and over 200 people identified.

National march for Gaza: hundreds of thousands gather, but tension and violence continue in the historic center. Police say "misrepresented antagonistic groups identified."

Rome, October 4 2025 The large national demonstration in support of Palestine ended with moments of serious tension and clashes in the center of the capital.
According to Rome police headquarters, they were about 250 thousand people took to the streets for the “for Gaza” march, an event that crossed the city in an initially peaceful atmosphere, which then degenerated in the late afternoon with episodes of urban warfare between some groups of protesters and the police.

From marching to urban warfare

The procession, which started from Piazza della Repubblica, saw the participation of delegations from all over Italy, peace movements, social centers, and pro-Palestinian associations.
They were parading Palestinian flags, signs against Israel and the United States, but also, according to what was reported by the police, some flags of Hamas and Hezbollah and banners with provocative phrases, including “October 7, Day of Palestinian Resistance”.

The situation worsened in the afternoon, when a group of about one hundred disguised people he broke away from the main procession and deviated in the direction Santa Maria MaggioreTo disperse the troublemakers, the police used water cannons and tear gas, while the protesters threw bottles, firecrackers and firecrackers against the agents.

Clashes between Via Merulana, Via dello Statuto, and Piazza Vittorio

Tensions spread rapidly. In Statute Street The protesters tore down poles, overturned dumpsters and bar tables into the middle of the street, forcing the police to intervene again with water cannons.
A Vittorio Emanuele square, other groups erected makeshift barricades, throwing smoke bombs and bottles at the riot police.
A car was set on fire, while in several points of the centre – from Largo Brancaccio to Via Lanza – objects were thrown and moments of high tension were recorded.

Families and peaceful participants began to move away from the procession, frightened by the presence of hooded groups and people wearing gas masks.

Three arrested and over 200 identified

According to initial information, three protesters they were stopped in Labicana Street, near Largo Brancaccio, to be identified after having confronted the police.
La Rome police headquarters reported that during the preventive checks, carried out in the morning on 108 buses and 58 minivans, They were Offensive objects, clubs and gas masks seized.

In total, about two hundred people are identified or reported for participating in the clashes. Two sections of the violent group were isolated and blocked respectively at Santa Maria Maggiore and Via Lanza.

Jewish Ghetto Area Sealed Off

As a precaution, the police forces have the Portico of Octavia was cordoned off and guardedIn the heart of the Jewish Ghetto of Rome, allowing access only to residents and guests of restaurants with reservations. This measure was adopted to prevent potential provocations or acts of violence.

The slogans and the complaints

Among the signs that appeared during similar demonstrations in recent days, one in particular raised alarm: "Meloni, Salvini, and Tajani, you'll end up like Mussolini.".
The author, a 30-year-old man Andria, Was reported by the Digos from Bari for aggravated threats and violence against a political bodyHis identification was made thanks to the analysis of video surveillance cameras.

The Police Headquarters: "Antagonizing groups isolated and identified"

In an official note, the Rome Police Headquarters reiterated that "the initiative took place overall in a regular manner" is that "a group of approximately 200 disguised individuals belonging to the opposing groups attempted several times to reach the historic centre, but was isolated and blocked by the police forces".

Authorities emphasize that the containment measures prevented the violence from spreading to the heart of the city, although damage and disorder were limited in the areas of Santa Maria Maggiore and Piazza Vittorio.

Tension and fear in Piazza San Giovanni

When the procession reached Piazza San Giovanni, a group of hooded protesters were whistled at and chased away by the same peaceful participants shouting “Go away!”.
Riot police kept a safe distance, while smoke bombs were still being thrown at law enforcement.

A heavy but controlled budget

At the end of the day, Rome counted Over 200 identifications, three arrests and several minor injuries, in addition to material damage to vehicles and street furniture.
The demonstration, which started as a call for peace in Gaza, has turned – at least in part – into a scene of clashes and vandalism, which reopens the debate on the management of public order and the presence of extremist fringes within political marches.