Violent protests swept across several European countries, with nearly 1,000 people arrested in France and serious disturbances reported in Spain, Italy, and Belgium.

French authorities reported that approximately 410,000 people participated in demonstrations nationwide, while the CGT labor union claimed that nearly 800,000 had taken to the streets.

In Paris, approximately 110,000 demonstrators marched through the capital in protests over the rising cost of living and deteriorating public services.

Although much of the demonstration remained peaceful, clashes erupted near the end of the march when protesters threw objects at police officers, prompting security forces to deploy tear gas and water cannons.

France’s Interior Ministry reported nearly 1,000 arrests nationwide as demonstrations escalated into violent confrontations in several cities.

In Marseille, groups of young protesters blocked roads with large metal barriers, set garbage containers on fire, and hurled stones and bottles at police officers.

Authorities also reported attacks on two jewelry stores during the disturbances.

Similar clashes erupted in Lyon, Lille, Nice, and other French cities, where police used tear gas to disperse protesters.

French authorities deployed approximately 70,000 police officers nationwide, supported by helicopters, armored vehicles, and water cannons.

In Paris, more than 20 Metro stations were closed, while the Louvre Museum and Paris Opera shut their doors as precautionary measures.

Meanwhile, the unrest spread to Barcelona, Spain, where hundreds of masked protesters dressed in black clashed with police officers on Saturday evening.

Rioters threw stones and bottles at security forces, damaged bus stops, bicycles, motorcycles, and traffic lights, and set a police barricade on fire.

In Italy, violent confrontations were reported in Rome, Turin, and Bologna during demonstrations over the cost of living and ongoing military conflicts.

Milan, which experienced widespread looting and violent riots last weekend, remained largely calm under heavy security.

Italian authorities deployed an additional 500 soldiers to Milan, introduced drone surveillance, and increased security checks at railway stations.

Store owners across the city boarded up windows and storefronts amid concerns that another wave of violence could lead to widespread looting.

In Brussels, Belgium, police used tear gas and pepper spray during confrontations with hundreds of demonstrators, many of them young people protesting education funding and conditions in the school system.

The latest disturbances come amid growing public frustration across Europe over economic pressures, government policies, and deteriorating public services.

Authorities in several countries remain on heightened alert amid concerns that the demonstrations could continue in the coming days.

(YWN’s Jerusalem desk is keeping you updated after tzeis ha’Shabbos in Israel)