⌨On October 2, Italian media remained heavily focused on the Gaza flotilla. In the early morning, reports confirmed Israeli forces intercepted and boarded numerous boats, using water cannons and stun grenades, detaining activists including 22 Italian citizens. However, some sources, particularly Turkish media, initially claimed the Mikeno ship had reached Gaza's waters, creating a split narrative.
By late morning, Israeli authorities declared the "provocation is over," asserting that no ship had reached Gaza and contact with the Mikeno was lost. Concurrently, a new major story emerged: a deadly stabbing attack outside a Manchester synagogue on Yom Kippur, which resulted in multiple deaths, including the aggressor.
In the afternoon, the focus shifted domestically to a planned general strike for October 3. The Garante declared the strike illegitimate due to lack of notice, sparking a confrontation between Prime Minister Meloni and CGIL Secretary Landini. Throughout the evening, protests for Gaza and the Flotilla erupted nationwide, leading to clashes and train disruptions in several Italian cities.