As world leaders gathered inside Naples’ Royal Palace to discuss achieving peace in war-torn regions such as Ukraine and the Middle East, violent clashes erupted just outside, between anti-war demonstrators and police forces. Protesters, calling for an end to the genocide in Palestine, faced off against security forces in a brief but intense confrontation, with bottles and batons flying, to the shock of onlookers.
Despite the rain, tourists and residents filled the historic center, witnessing the chaotic scene that unfolded in minutes. Police used tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd, which hurled stones and bottles in return. No serious injuries were reported, but several suffered the effects of tear gas.
Inside the palace, the discussions were no less intense. Present at the summit were defense ministers of the G7 nations, alongside key figures such as Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, EU Foreign Affairs Chief Josep Borrell, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. A notable development of the day was the news of a drone attack targeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, which heightened the sense of urgency and concern at the summit.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto voiced caution, noting that optimism for peace in Gaza was waning. He emphasized the importance of international missions like Unifil in Lebanon, urging for an increased presence to prevent further attacks on Israel. Meanwhile, Borrell stressed the necessity of a ceasefire before any revisions to the Unifil mission could be made, pointing to the death of Yahya Sinwar as a pivotal moment for negotiations.
As the summit progressed, Ukrainian issues also took center stage, with full backing from the G7 for Ukraine’s continued defense against Russia’s ongoing aggression. The final statement issued from the summit condemned Russia’s actions and underscored the importance of unwavering support for Ukraine.
Outside, however, tensions remained high, as nearly a thousand protesters were kept at bay by law enforcement. Despite the chaos, Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi dismissed the violence as “behavior that has nothing to do with free expression,” bringing the day’s events to a dramatic and tense close.
