Ruptly
"May Day rally in Milan on Friday turned into a solidarity march for Gaza in its final minutes after reports emerged that Israel had intercepted several vessels of the Global Sumud Flotilla carrying aid to the Strip. Footage shows demonstrators marching and chanting while carrying Palestinian and Lebanese flags, and lighting smoke flares. Protesters also hoisted banners calling for a halt to the 'genocide' and demanded the ousting of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government. The rally was reportedly called by numerous trade unions, workers' groups and pro-Palestinian movements, with organisers shifting focus to the blockade after the news broke. Similar protests demanding accountability also erupted in major Italian cities, including Rome, Naples and Turin, according to media reports. It comes after Israeli forces reported the interception of 22 flotilla vessels late Wednesday in international waters about 965 km (600 miles) from Gaza. According to the Israeli foreign ministry, 175 activists were detained. Meanwhile, the flotilla's organisers claimed that 211 activists were 'kidnapped,' denouncing the interception as 'unlawful seizure' and 'piracy.' The interception has already drawn criticism from several capitals. Spain and Italy condemned the seizure of the vessels by Israel, demanding the release of 'unlawfully detained' Spanish and Italian nationals, while the Turkish Foreign Ministry described it as an 'act of piracy.'"
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