Middle East

Lebanon is shaken by a profound humanitarian and social crisis, which the election of a president is not enough to resolve. Among the unresolved knots is the national housing and employment crisis. There is growing food insecurity linked to the collapse of the currency, which has lost 90% of its value against the dollar. The country imports over 80% of its needs, particularly in the food and health sectors.

According to Halo Trust since early December, coinciding with the fall of Assad, at least 144 people have been killed, including 27 children. Last year, at least 212 civilians lost their lives to explosive remnants of war, including 28 women and 63 children. Land clearance work critical to a true rebirth of the country.

The Israeli military launched an operation in Jenin, dubbed Iron Wall, resulting in a dozen deaths with 35 wounded. In Tel Aviv, a man is killed after carrying out a knife attack that left four people wounded. General Herzi Halevi resigns over 7 October, backing an independent inquiry. For a Palestinian activist, Israel is imposing “total closure” on the West Bank to settle the score.

The fall of the regime in Damascus has also led to a backlash against the Orthodox patriarchate heir to one of the most important seats of ancient Christianity by a mysterious movement sympathetic to the new Islamist regime which - amid accusations of collaborationism and old scores - is calling for the resignation of Ioann X. In the background are relations with Moscow with which this Church remains linked, though without having broken with Constantinople.

A six-fold increase from 2023 amid a growing crackdown that has seen 96 worshippers sentenced. This is what emerges from a study published by activist groups and titled “The Tip of the Iceberg.” Because, in reality, violations of practise of worship are far more widespread than the published data. The role of services and the search for contacts or funds from abroad.

Israel celebrates the release of Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher and Emily Damari as part of the fragile truce. However, the fate of the foreign workers still being held hostage in the Strip remains a mystery. These include six Thai nationals and one Nepalese national about whose fate nothing has transpired even during negotiations in recent days. The families' fears that “everything may fall apart” before their return.

Pharmacists in the capital "advise" customers not to get sick or to take preventive steps like during the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks and keeping distances. Western sanctions and critical issues in domestic production are emptying the shelves. For the Minister of Health, there are no emergencies but he scraps special tariffs in foreign currencies.

The Palestinian Catholic leader calls the ceasefire agreed upon after tensions in the Israeli government and with Hamas a "good development". For him, children cannot be “killed because of the (alleged) crime of the father or the mother.” Rehauling the Palestinian system of government will be a challenge, one that will not see Hamas play any leading role.

Gaza’s Holy Family parish priest thanks “God for this truce”, calling “on him to ensure that the commitments are respected”. Meanwhile, everyone is waiting to see the details of the deal that would allow the wounded in need of treatment to leave and let hundreds of thousands of people to return to northern Gaza. The Catholic bishops of the Holy land urge political leaders and the international community “to develop a clear and just political vision” for a “true and lasting peace.”

Enthusiasm in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon over the ceasefire agreement in the Strip between Israel and Hamas. Nawaf Salam, former president of the International Criminal Court, elected new prime minister. Macron expected in Beirut. The Maronite Church applauds Lebanon's adoption of the principle of ‘positive neutrality’ in foreign policy. President Aoun's first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia.

Bishop Berardi spoke to AsiaNews about various topics, from politics and the Jubilee and the Church and the societies of the Gulf. The rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria (and Assad’s ouster) and the presidential election in Lebanon are a sign of Saudi strength and Iranian weakness. “Ambiguities" surround Palestinian "martyrs". Christians are witnesses of hope, contributing to the development of local societies.

Israel and Hamas are ready to sign a ceasefire and release some hostages, but the end of the war remains far away. Yonatan Zeigen, son of an Israeli pacifist killed on 7 October, speaks to AsiaNews about the question of “power and interests" behind the agreement, starting with the new US administration. The historical precedent between Israel and Egypt is an example of how to overcome the conflict with the Palestinians.