Middle East

Low turnout in some areas (a meagre 21% in the capital) and the absence of a national vision on decentralisation stand out as key challenges. These factors continue to hinder the emergence of a truly autonomous local authority. Nonetheless, the vote marks a positive step in view of the 2026 parliamentary elections.

Fr Romanelli emphasises the “strong bond” between Gaza Christians and this pontiff and his predecessor. Appeals for peace come with strong emphasis on the severe famine underway. While the Israeli military is pursuing the offensive, Netanyahu, under US pressure, is allowing limited aid delivery. For the clergyman, the greatest hope for Palestinians is to be able to live in their own land.

Trump’s announcement could trigger economic “detente” and encourage the return of Syrian refugees. Reconstruction, trade and banking links between Beirut and Damascus could be revived. In the background looms the possibility of normalisation with Israel. Walid Joumblatt reminds us of the Arab world’s key condition: “Peace in exchange for territory.”

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev continues to insist that “the Turkic World is our family”—a perspective that resonates increasingly with the rising nationalist sentiment in the majority-Azeri regions beyond the Iranian border, fuelled in part by support for Tabriz’s football team. A phenomenon that the authorities in Tehran are responding to with harsh repression.

The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor has reversed the positive course the country had embarked upon. A study by the EBRD confirms that boycotts and protests have disrupted efforts to curb inflation, triggering "turmoil". In April, the Central Bank raised interest rates after months of holding steady. New arrests among university students have followed clashes with police.

People in Syria celebrate with fireworks the announcement by the US president. The new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, who met Trump in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is seeking international legitimacy, while countries in the region are increasingly interested in restarting trade. But more than 10 years of embargo have left deep economic and social scars that will be hard to heal.

The US president is in Saudi Arabia, the first stop on a regional trip that includes the United Arab Emirates and Qatar (but not Israel). His agenda is centred on business and billion-dollar deals (including weapons), relegating other issues to the margins. Economics and Saudi money overshadow human rights issues and environmental concerns linked to the Red Sea megaproject.

The release is expected at 6.30 pm local time, the result of negotiations between the extremist movement and the US administration, rekindling the hope of the families of the other hostages. But Netanyahu is adamant in his opposition to any negotiations with Hamas. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is getting worse. In Jerusalem, a second peace summit is held with the participation of Arab and Israeli peace movements.

Speaking to AsiaNews, the activist attacks the prime minister who "wants to continue the war" to "survive politically,” aided by a weak and fragmented opposition and widespread "weariness and despair" in Israeli society. Israel’s latest attacks in Gaza sow more death and destruction. Only un "unpredictable" Trump can push for an agreement but his focus is on the Houthis in Yemen. Some 55 NGOs sign an appeal against the law that would block their activities.

The situation has not yet stabilised in the areas where fighting broke out recently between Druze militias and Islamist groups. The Christian village of Khabab was not directly involved, but faces an equally precarious situation due to drought and economic deprivation. The war “didn't end just because the regime was overthrown,” said Sister Mona of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne Anthida Thouret, speaking to AsiaNews. For her, “our hope is in the Lord, not in men.”

From Bergamo, 60-year-old Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa brings the “Mother Church” back among the electors of a Pope for the first time in centuries. Living in Jerusalem for the past 35 years, the Franciscan friar has long been engaged in dialogue with both Judaism and Islam. He served for 12 years as Custos of the Holy Land. Throughout the many tragic episodes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict—including the past two years—he has called for cultivating the freedom of peace, refusing to be crushed by hatred, and making the Gospel resound once again in the land of Jesus.

The pro-Iranian rebel group hits near Ben Gurion airport, announce an offensive on airports to block air traffic. For the first time, Israel has admitted that it has been hit and doubts are emerging about the effectiveness of its defences. The Netanyahu government approves an operation to seize Gaza, at the expense of the hostages, angering their families.