Middle East

Fr Raed talks about concerns triggered by the military escalation on the Lebanese border. Social tensions related to conflict are a rising concern, especially in an increasingly radicalised society. The desire to escape does not concern only Christians. "The only solution is an end to the war in Gaza." Dioceses and priests in Italy (and Europe) are urged to promote small “pilgrimages of solidarity”.

In yesterday's action in Lebanon, apparently harmless objects turned out to be powerful weapons. The NGO that works in 28 countries to remove mines left behind by conflicts calls for an urgent response to the rise of autonomous weapons, part of a broader "phenomenon of miniaturisation of explosive devices and their use in micro drones”. Increasingly, demands are being made for a new ban treaty, like the one with landmines.

The operation that killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 2,800, several of them seriously, represents an absolute first. The explosion of pagers took the pro-Iranian group by surprise, weakening its potential. Everyone is now waiting for Nasrallah's response, while many Lebanese are donating blood for the wounded like after the 2020 port explosion. Many now fear that the attack could be the prelude to a large-scale conflict.

Two years on from the murder of the young Kurdish woman at the hands of the morality police, the authorities still impose silence and censorship. Her family, confined to house arrest, iis threatened with mprisonment in the case of public ceremonies. Fragility and divisions in the opposition favour the ayatollahs. The new president promises more freedom on the internet and hijab.

Viskhan Soltamatov allegedly masterminded the assault on the Franciscan church and supplied the group members with weapons. The arrest took place during a joint operation at the weekend. Up to 42 people are on trial, of whom at least 31 are already in custody. Turkish Christians the most persecuted minority in the country.

At the Angelus, the pontiff expressed his closeness to the people affected by Typhoon Yagi and the families of Israeli hostages found killed in Gaza a few days ago. Francis mentioned meeting the mother of one of them. “[L]et the negotiations continue, and let peaceful solutions be found!” he said. He also urged the faithful to ask, “Who is Jesus for you?”

Some two thousand children took part in the initiative promoted by the vicariate. The camps provided an opportunity to play, learn and grow in faith. Sharing experiences in a migrant reality is fundamental, building a Church on the move and synodal. For Archbishop Martinelli, participants “experienced the freedom of life”.

Thousands of faithful, ecclesiastical and political personalities witnessed the arrival of the remains of the cardinal, now buried in the cathedral of Saint Elias and Saint Gregory the Illuminator. The wait is on for the completion of the beatification process. From Prime Minister Mikati the hope that through his intercession, the country of the cedars will overcome the political and institutional crisis.

As the mid-October harvest approaches in southern Lebanon, security concerns are rising. The uncertainty is fuelled by rumours of possible escalation along the Israeli-Lebanese border between Hezbollah and the IDF. Farmers hope for UNIFIL's protection. Olive cultivation produces between 100,000 and 200,000 tonnes per year, 70 per cent for extraction.

Two days after the attack on the Allenby crossing, Jordan goes to the polls with a population deeply marked by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While the government maintains its delicate diplomatic balancing act, Caritas Jordan continues its work in support of the local and refugee communities, with a particular focus on the latest arrivals from Sudan. For Lana Snobar, “Dealing with mental health significantly improves our communities.”

Travelling with a high-level delegation, the Iranian leader will be in Baghdad next Wednesday, followed by Erbil. A memorandum of understanding on cooperation and security will be signed. Planned for some time, the visit was postponed following the death in a helicopter crash of Pezeshkian’s predecessor, Ebrahim Raisi.

Archbishop Martinelli stresses to AsiaNews the link that makes the declaration signed yesterday in Jakarta and the 2019 text on human fraternity‘different and complementary’. In a world marked by war ‘the danger is getting used to dehumanisation’. Strong ‘symbols’ such as the Tunnel of Friendship or the Abrahamic House are essential. From the Pope also the call to look in depth’ in interreligious dialogue, returning “to the question of God as a fundamental human question”.