A general strike across Italy in support of the Gaza aid flotilla disrupted trains and port traffic Friday, causing chaos for commuters as tens of thousands took to the streets in protest.Left-wing demonstrators condemned the treatment of the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail last month, ferrying politicians and activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg towards Gaza, where the United Nations says famine is taking hold.The Italian strike, called by the USB and CGIL unions, followed demonstrations Thursday in cities across the world, including Milan and Rome, where some 10,000 people marched from the Colosseum.Protesters marched again Friday morning in Rome to the vast plaza outside the central train station of Termini, where services were cancelled or delayed up to 80 minutes, and in other cities.Among the crowd - estimated at over 10,000 by Italian news agency AGI - was Giordano Fioramonti, 19, protesting along with fellow university students and professors.'It's also our civic duty to show how angry and unhappy we are with what is happening in the world, with our government, to show our support for the flotilla, especially for Palestine, for the Gazans who are being killed, tortured and massacred,' Fioramonti said.Up and down the country, thousands of people gathered for marches and flashmobs, from Turin and Trento in the north to Bari and Palermo in the south, according to local media and television images. A general strike across Italy in support of the Gaza aid flotilla disrupted trains and port traffic Friday, causing chaos for commuters as tens of thousands took to the streets in protest. Pictured: Protesters in Rome The Italian strike, called by the USB and CGIL unions, followed demonstrations Thursday in cities across the world, including Milan and Rome, where some 10,000 people marched from the Colosseum. Pictured: Protesters block the train traffic at Catania's central station Demonstrators condemned the treatment of the Global Sumud Flotilla that set sail last month, ferrying politicians and activists including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg towards Gaza, where the United Nations says famine is taking hold. Pictured: Thunberg sits at an unknown location, after Israel intercepted the vessels of the Global Sumud FlotillaA sea of people clapped and waved the Palestinian flag in Milan as they made their way through the streets, carrying a massive banner reading: 'Free Palestine, Stop the War Machine.'National rail firm Trenitalia warned the national strike would last until 20:59 pm on Friday.'Today, one million Italians will be left stranded on trains alone,' Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini told the Mattino Cinque television show.Commercial traffic was blocked at the port of Livorno, local media reported.It comes after Greta Thunberg was hauled off her 'Freedom Flotilla' by Israeli naval forces as it neared the besieged Gaza Strip.As the Global Sumud Flotilla approached Palestinian territory with humanitarian aid on Wednesday evening, at least 19 vessels were intercepted and boarded by the Israeli navy, according to those onboard.The Sirius, Alma and Adara boats were intercepted some 70 nautical miles (80 miles) from the coast of Gaza, according to organisers who shared live positions of the flotilla. 'Today, one million Italians will be left stranded on trains alone,' Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini told the Mattino Cinque television show. Pictured: Protesters in Rome A woman in Milan, Italy, holds a sign reading: 'I pray for the day when the children of Gaza wake up to the sounds of birds not bombs' Protesters clash with the police as they try to block the access to the Port of NaplesIn footage posted to X by the Israel Foreign Ministry, Swedish climate activist Thunberg is seen among those being detained by officials.While sitting on the floor, Thunberg takes what appears to be a bottle of water and puts on a green frog bucket hat and a white coat as she retrieves her belongings.'Already several vessels of the Hamas-Sumud flotilla have been safely stopped and their passengers are being transferred to an Israeli port,' the post said.'Greta and her friends are safe and healthy.'Thunberg and American actress Susan Sarandon, along with Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela, are part of the controversial convoy of around 43 boats and 500 activists and aid workers sailing on what they describe as a 'peaceful mission' to deliver supplies to Palestinians in Gaza.Thunberg was deported by Israel in June when the ship she was travelling on with 11 other people, the Madleen, was stopped by the military. Protesters use flares during a rally calling for the release of the Global Sumud Flotilla in Genova Up and down the country, thousands of people gathered for marches and flashmobs, from Turin and Trento in the north to Bari and Palermo in the south, according to local media and television images. Pictured: A crowd of protesters in Venice Pictured: Israeli forces intercepting on of the boats of the Global Sumud FlotillaAt the time, Israel was accused of using drones to spray an irritant substance on Thunberg's flotilla before boarding and detaining her and other activists.At around 9.30pm on October 1 the flotilla said its vessels were being boarded by the Israeli navy as it approached Palestinian territory, with their cameras taken offline.The fleet with Thunberg and several activists and European lawmakers aboard, consists of nearly 50 boats.'High alert. Our vessels are being illegally intercepted,' organisers of the flotilla said.'Cameras are offline and vessels have been boarded by military personnel.'We are actively working to confirm the safety and status of all participants on board.'The flotilla had earlier vowed to press on with its bid to deliver aid to the devastated coastal territory despite what it called 'intimidation' tactics by the Israeli military.It said on X that it remained 'vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked'.