Dario Salvi

The cry “Allah Akbar” rings out from the loudspeakers of the mosques of the Strip. Tens of thousands of people in the Strip and Palestine celebrate the ceasefire. In 11 days of fighting 232 Palestinian victims, including 65 minors. In Israel 12 dead, two children. Satisfaction from the UN and the United States.

The Chaldean primate spoke at a conference organised by University of Kurdistan Hewlêr in Erbil, in the presence of the top leaders of Iraqi Kurdistan. True democracy is fundamental “for the progress and unity of peoples”. A secular state embraces “all religions, cultures, groups and languages”.

In the ongoing conflict there is an increasingly marked division between leadership and ordinary people. The "profound weariness" of a "perpetual conflict" and the "economic interests" that prevail over rights and people. In Kuwait hundreds of people demonstrated against the Jewish state, burning flags. Protests also in Bahrain and Qatar.

Moussa Abu Marzouk, political leader of the movement, optimistic that the diplomatic "efforts" underway "will be successful". According to an Egyptian source, the parties have reached an agreement in principle for the truce. Hospitals in the Strip overcrowded with waves of deaths and injuries, supplies of life-saving drugs run out.

The conflict between Israel and Hamas “is nothing new”, not so the “internal unrest” in Israel where the identity of the Jewish state, the question of Jerusalem, and religion are unresolved issues. The Church plans to hold a prayer vigil. Peace, justice and forgiveness are needed to heal the wounds of the Holy Land.

Negotiations "in the initial phase" but give reason for optimism. The presidential elections in Tehran in June should not affect foreign policy, determined by Khamenei. A turning point also caused by the change of US administration.

The US president in talks with Egypt and other partners to reach a truce. In Gaza the only laboratory for Covid-19 is out of use. Bernie Sanders: Palestinian rights matter. The updated toll is 212 victims in the Strip, including 61 minors.

Fr Ibrahim Faltas sounds the alarm for the "violence" and "anger" of young people. The failure of the 1967 resolutions and the indifference of the international community. People "are afraid to leave their house" because they "risk dying". An appeal to the heads of state: "Violence generates violence, we must all stop it!".

In a single day, over 40 deaths in air raids launched by Israeli jets on the Strip. In one week, over 3,000 rockets were fired by Hamas in Israeli territory. The updated toll is 218 Palestinian victims, including 58 minors and 34 women, more than 1230 injured. On the Israeli front 10 dead. The UN Security Council meeting ends with nothing.

Hundreds of worshippers follow the service outside, whilst few were allowed inside due to COVID-19 restrictions. Diyanet leader Ali Erbaş led the prayer. During his sermon from the minbar, wielding a sword, he mentioned the Palestinian cause and spoke of “cries” from “aggrieved lands of Islamic geography”.

Fr Romanelli speaks about “constant bombing”, not knowing how far “the forces on the ground will go”. The school and the Convent of the Sisters of the Rosary have been damaged. Electrical power is out and the water supply is at risk. The fear of war has replaced the fear of COVID-19. Daytime bombings are a “very negative sign”.

Over 150 "underground targets" in the Strip were hit overnight. Three rockets launched from Lebanon in the direction of Israel. Netanyahu warns: "The operation will last as long as necessary". Clashes in Israel between Orthodox and Arabs. President Rivlin appeals for calm. Fears of an internal civil war.