Israel

Fr Romanelli says that "the entire Gaza Strip is dangerous," but Gaza City is "even more so." There are “constant bombardments”, but the parish has not yet received an "evacuation order." The Custody of the Holy Land and the Latin Patriarchate are with Pope Leo fasting and praying for peace. According to Israeli military sources, 83 percent of the deaths in the Palestinian enclave are civilians.

Eighty representatives of the Modern Orthodox movement, led by Rabbi Yosef Blau, have launched an appeal calling for "moral clarity" and "responsibility" based on the values of Jewish tradition. While condemning Hamas, they call for a "response" to the tragedy in Gaza and criticise the "disturbing proposals" of Smotrich and Ben Gvir. For the rabbis, they must “speak out when our government’s actions contradict the Torah’s moral imperatives”. The Latin Patriarchate warns of evacuation orders in neighbourhoods near Gaza Catholic parish.

The complaint was made in a statement by Protecting Holy Land Christians. The “reasoning” behind the decision is said to be linked to “the Arnona issue”. The Patriarchate “is currently unable to pay the salaries of clergy, teachers and staff”. In his homily on the Assumption, Cardinal Pizzaballa affirms that the blood of every ‘innocent’ in Gaza and around the world ‘is not forgotten.’

Of these, only 11 have been released on bail. The others remain in prison and join the more than 60 already in jail before the conflict for reasons of faith. According to the Ministry of Intelligence, they are “Mossad mercenaries” trained abroad by churches in the United States and Israel. Article 18: their “crime” was to have participated “in a gathering” of faithful “in a neighbouring country”.

According to the Jordanian scholar, the Netanyahu government's ultimate goal ‘goes beyond’ defeating Hamas and redrawing borders. The West Bank becomes an ‘opportunity to be exploited’ with a view to annexation. The weakness of the Palestinian Authority and the international community, the new paradigm of the Abraham Accords. Among the nations of the region, ‘more tactics than alliances’.

Sponsored by France and Saudi Arabia, along with 15 other countries (but not the United States), plus the Arab League, and the European Union, the Declaration was sent to governments around the world to gather support ahead of the UN General Assembly in September. It calls for a ceasefire and an international mission to the Gaza Strip, no longer governed by Hamas, Palestinian elections within a year, and the resumption of negotiations without Israeli annexations. China offered its immediate support.

Last night, settlers again attacked the Christian village near Ramallah, setting cars on fire and spray painting walls with messages of hate. Yesterday, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, visited the parishes of Jenin and Rafidia, expressing solidarity and encouraging the Christian community to “persevere in faith amid adversity.”

The announcement of the imminent recognition by the Élysée Palace was immediately welcomed by Saudi Arabia. Today, Saudi Arabia shares with Paris not only an initiative at the UN on the reaffirmation of the two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but also many political and economic interests in the Middle East.

The new Franciscan Custos made his solemn entry into Jerusalem this afternoon, where “Every stone of this land cries out and pleads for authentic and lasting peace, for certain hope," he told fellow friars and those present. After his phone call with Netanyahu, Pope Leo XIV also spoke with Palestinian President Abbas today.

In a strong oecumenical gesture, the Latin and Greek Orthodox patriarchs of Jerusalem visited the Holy Family parish bringing some 500 tonnes of aid. Answering a phone call from Netanyahu, Leo XIV reiterated his call for an end to “this slaughter”. A BBC report documents the scale of the systematic destruction with bulldozers of entire areas in Gaza carried out by Israel since last March.

An attack this morning hit the Church of the Holy Family, leaving at least six people seriously injured and causing damage to the building. Among those hit was the parish priest, Fr Romanelli. The Patriarchal Vicar for Israel and Palestine: “They will say it was not intentional, they always find an excuse, but war causes damage and victims”. Telegram of condolence from Pope Leo XIV: “Immediate ceasefire”. Meanwhile, in Taybeh, in the West Bank, settlers are grazing cows at the Church of St George.

The fighting is over thanks largely to the intervention of US Secretary of State Rubio. The interim Syrian president has "transferred" responsibility for maintaining security to the Druze. He reiterated his desire to avoid "open war" with Israel. The provisional toll from the fighting stands at 350 dead. For Jumblatt, “Israel has no protégés, only instruments”.