Khaberni - The city of Udine has taken exceptional security measures ahead of Italy's upcoming match in the World Cup qualifiers for 2026 against Israel next Tuesday, as a pro-Palestinian march is set to occur on the day of the match despite the ceasefire between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
The agreement, ratified by the Israeli government on Friday, includes a ceasefire and a plan to release Israeli detainees in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The Palestine-Udine Committee, the organizer of the march, opposes what it calls "Israeli occupation violence in the Palestinian territories" and expects more than 10,000 people to participate in the march on Tuesday, hours before the match kicks off at the Friuli Stadium.
A spokesperson for the committee told Reuters: "Our demands remain unchanged," describing the meeting as "the match of shame".
He added: "We stand with the Palestinian people for their right to self-determination, their right to return, and their right to live a life without occupation, in Gaza and across Palestine.
He continued: "Our pressure will not stop until the Palestinian people are completely liberated."
More than 67,000 Palestinians have died in the Israeli war on Gaza since October 7, 2023.
The Israeli forces began withdrawing today, Friday, under the agreement that represents the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to end the war between Israel and Hamas.
The Udine municipality imposed restrictions on Friday, including road closures and parking restrictions starting Saturday, and is placing concrete barriers around the stadium to create security zones.
The authorities have banned serving food and drinks in glass, ceramic, or metal containers on the day of the match and mandated the removal of all outdoor furniture from public establishments.
The National Observatory for Sporting Events considers the match to represent the highest levels of risk, and Udine province, a governmental body, stated that violent groups might exploit the march as a means to infiltrate.
The organizers of the march say they do not intend to prevent the match from taking place; as the protests occur away from the stadium, but other demonstrations may happen.
