Tensions are boiling over in Udine tonight after a World Cup qualifier match between Israel and Italy.

The northeastern Italian city was the setting for a large pro-Palestine demonstration today ahead of the match,and was on high alert.

The match was placed in the highest risk category despite a breakthrough ceasefire deal that has paused two years of war in Gaza.

After a protest march arrived at its final destination,a small group of 50 masked people began clashing with police.

Many tried to insert themselves to stop the chaos (Picture: Reuters)

Water cannons were brought out and tear gas was fired in a bid to stop the escalation.

The group was apparently trying to get past the police cordons to head toward the stadium,which is on the outskirts of the city.

The march happened as the match began (Picture: Reuters)

Video footage showed smoke in the air as officers tried to calm the crowd,many of whom dispersed when the chaos began.

Organisers of the march,the Committee for Palestine-Udine,have rallied for FIFA to ban Israel from all competitions,saying the team supports ‘occupation policies’ in the Palestinian territories.

Before the match even began,snipers were positioned on the hotel where the Israeli team were staying as a security measure.

Some of the Italian army was deployed to help with security measures.

Three people have been injured and around 20 have been arrested,local news Rai has reported.

One officer was treated for injuries,and a journalist suffered severe trauma to their cheekbone. Another journalist was also taken to hospital.

Italians have been outspoken in their support for Palestine,recently hosting a strike across multiple cities,with port workers getting involved.

Italy’s grassroots unions called for a 24-hour general strike in public and private sectors,including public transportation,trains,schools and ports.

Police clashed with protesters as tensions rose in late September. Dockworkers have blocked access roads to ports in a bid to stop the transfer of supplies to Israel.