Italy deploys army ahead of World Cup qualifier against 'Israel'

• Italy deploys army and security forces ahead of match against 'Israel'.
• Game takes place in Udine amid protests over Gaza war.
• Thousands demonstrate against 'Israel’s' participation in World Cup qualifiers.
• Security includes troops, counterterrorism units, snipers, helicopters, and drones.

Italian authorities have stepped up security measures in the city of Udine, deploying troops and special forces ahead of Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier between Italy and 'Israel', as tensions over the war in Gaza spill onto the streets.

The high-stakes match comes after weeks of demonstrations across Italy, with protesters calling for 'Israel’s' suspension from international sports. Thousands gathered in Udine ahead of the game, chanting against 'Israel’s' participation.

Security officials have rolled out a heavy operation that includes army units, counterterrorism police, rooftop snipers, helicopters, and surveillance drones. The move reflects growing concern over possible clashes during the match between second-placed Italy and third-placed 'Israel'.

The game also follows US President Donald Trump’s whirlwind visit to 'Israel' and Egypt, where he promoted his Gaza peace plan and marked the release of the final 20 'Israeli' captives.

“This match should not have been played,” wrote opposition MP Laura Boldrini on social media just hours before kickoff. “Israel should have been suspended from all international sports competitions.”

The humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza has stirred powerful emotions in Italy. Daniele Albertazzi, a political expert at the University of Surrey, noted that the “tragedy in Gaza” is “very, very deeply felt” by many Italians. “The fact that there is a ceasefire does not necessarily mean that feeling will wither away,” he said.

Authorities capped attendance at the 25,000-seat stadium at 16,000, though only around 10,000 tickets have been sold. No tickets were made available to 'Israeli' fans, with access limited to team staff and players’ families.

'Israel’s' continued participation in the qualifiers has stirred international debate. A panel of UN experts urged FIFA and UEFA to suspend the country, with Turkish and Norwegian federations backing the call. But Washington has strongly pushed back. “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel’s national soccer team from the World Cup,” the US State Department said last month.

The political climate in Italy has been fraught since the start of the Gaza war. Opposition lawmakers from the Democratic Party and the Five Star Movement recently joined a flotilla attempting to breach 'Israel’s' naval blockade of Gaza. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has faced growing domestic criticism for aligning with 'Israel' and refusing to recognize a Palestinian state, a stance that contrasts with France, the UK, and Spain.

Two nationwide strikes have already rocked Italy, with large crowds demanding an end to 'Israel’s' military campaign. Meloni dismissed the unrest as “more to do with domestic politics than Gaza,” accusing her rivals of being “more fundamentalist than Hamas.”

The Gaza issue has unfolded alongside regional elections, though analysts say it has not significantly shifted voter sentiment. “There was a deliberate attempt by the opposition political parties to weaponize the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and use it against Meloni,” said Francesco Galietti, head of the political risk consultancy Policy Sonar.

Meloni joined Trump’s peace summit in Sharm el-Sheikh on Monday, portraying Italy as a quiet but committed player in the mediation efforts. “We are proud that Italy is here,” she told reporters. “It’s a recognition of what we have done in these recent months . . . our constant silent support for all the efforts being made.”

Her claims were swiftly challenged by Five Star leader Giuseppe Conte, who called it “ridiculous” for the government to take credit for the peace process.

Also present at the summit was FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who posted a photo with Trump on Instagram. “I am of the firm belief that all of us need to come together to build bridges,” he wrote.