As of late September 2025, a powerful wave of protests related to the Gaza war is sweeping across the globe, reflecting widespread frustration and diverse demands for change. From massive general strikes in Europe to anti-government rallies in Israel and unprecedented demonstrations within Gaza itself, citizens are publicly voicing their discontent with the prolonged conflict and its devastating humanitarian toll.
In Italy, a nationwide 24-hour general strike on September 22 brought significant disruption to the country. Organized by grassroots unions, the strike saw thousands of workers and students protest in solidarity with Palestinians. Public transportation, education, and other sectors were affected in major cities like Rome, Milan, and Bologna. The strike culminated years of large-scale, pro-Palestinian demonstrations across Italy, which have been among the largest in Europe. In Rome, an estimated 20,000 people marched, while dock workers in ports including Genoa and Livorno also held strikes. Some demonstrations have seen tensions, with clashes between police and protesters in Milan leading to arrests and injuries. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned the violence while her government maintains a cautious stance on the recognition of a Palestinian state.
The unrest has also manifested within the conflict's core regions. In Israel, nationwide protests erupted on August 17, with thousands demanding the government secure a deal to free hostages held in Gaza and end the military offensive. Demonstrators blocked major roads and expressed deep frustration over the handling of the war, leading to confrontations with police who used water cannons to disperse crowds.
Meanwhile, within the Gaza Strip itself, residents have staged protests against Hamas's governance and the war's continuation. Since March, demonstrations have occurred in cities like Beit Lahia, Jabalia, and Khan Yunis, with participants chanting "Hamas out" and "We want to live." These protests signal growing internal dissent over the protracted violence and dire living conditions. Hamas has responded by forcibly dispersing many of these gatherings, resulting in arrests and injuries.
The international outcry has been echoed in other nations. The Netherlands witnessed its largest demonstrations in two decades between May and June, as over 100,000 people participated in "Red Line" protests in The Hague. Dressed in red, they called for a ceasefire and Dutch sanctions against Israel. In Bangladesh, a "March for Gaza" held in Dhaka on April 12 drew a massive and diverse crowd of political leaders, scholars, and activists demanding an end to the crisis.
These demonstrations are set against a backdrop of a severe humanitarian crisis, with ongoing Israeli attacks exacerbating conditions for displaced Palestinians. The protests are part of a larger global response that includes persistent calls for a ceasefire, the lifting of the Israeli blockade, and an end to the occupation. On the diplomatic front, nations remain divided, with countries like France and Belgium expressing support for recognizing Palestinian statehood, while others like Germany urge a more cautious, process-oriented approach. Adding to the call for action, activist Greta Thunberg stated that any recognition must be paired with "real action" to be meaningful.
Collectively, the protests from Milan to Khan Yunis underscore a profound and complex global demand for a resolution to the conflict, reflecting deep-seated frustration with political leadership and the unending cycle of violence in the region.