UDINE, Italy (AP) — The city of Udine is on high alert as Italy prepares to host Israel in a competitive match on Monday.

The Nations League game will be played in front of the backdrop of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East which has spread to Lebanon after more than a year of war in the Gaza Strip.

It is the first game Israel has played outside neutral Hungary this year. After Israel-Hamas war The national football team started on October 7 last year and played in Kosovo and Andorra last November.

All of Israel's games since then have been played in Hungary, including the away game against Belgium in the Nations League last month Belgian Football Association refused to host the game for security reasons.

“We will play this game in the hope of convincing more people of the wrongness of the war,” said Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. “There are many Israelis who don’t want this, and we need to convince more and more people that this is something that has to stop.”

Fewer than 12,000 tickets were sold for Monday's game – less than half the capacity of the 25,000-seat Stadio Friuli – despite strict security measures.

Areas around the stadium were closed 48 hours before kick-off and declared a “red zone” and only fans with tickets can pass the high metal barriers. Due to strict controls, fans are strongly advised to arrive early.

Hundreds of additional police officers were also called in from surrounding areas.

A pro-Palestine demonstration is planned for 5 p.m. local time in the city center – almost four hours before the game starts. The organizers expect around 4,000 participants.

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