Gaza

Fr Raed Abu Sahlieh reports “high tensions” with fighter jets and drones flying over northern Israel. In 58 years, he has “never seen so much anger, hatred, devastation." Israel is now censoring the media, detaining people even for social media posts. Last night was "better despite the bombings, which were a little less intense,” says Gaza parish priest. Masses are held on Zoom because of fear of bombs. Fr Szwed, of the Jewish-speaking community in Jaffa, is set to hold “the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament” so that peace may return for all.

France warns Lebanon (and the pro-Iranian Shiite movement) against a simmering war that threatens to sink the country. But Hezbollah will not allow an Israeli invasion of Gaza "without reacting". For the Lebanese, the inhuman terrorism of Hamas has fed on the blind policy of the Israeli right wing that uses force, despises the law, and practices apartheid.

From their cloister on the Mount of Olives, where, according to an ancient Christian tradition, Jesus taught the Pater Noster, the nuns bear witness to recent events, hearing “protests and gunfire outside our walls” and collect “tear gas canisters in the cloister”. For them, “Only justice and respect can lead to peace, hard [to achieve] but lasting. Day after day, we are given the opportunity to grasp the seeds of this through remarkable people, both Jewish and Palestinian.”

The vicar of Northern Arabia expresses concern for the escalating war between Israel and Hamas. An invasion of Gaza could have repercussions for the entire region. Pope Francis met today with Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in the Vatican, renewing dialogue and exchange. Our Lady cathedral has become a tourist destination for Christians and Muslims.

Sultan Al Remeithi, former secretary general of the Muslim Council of Elders and today a member of the Committee created after the document signed in Abu Dhabi by Pope Francis and Al-Tayyeb, speaks to AsiaNews of a conflict that is the fruit of a "long history" of unresolved "political and social tensions", fuelled by "violence and hate speech". The consequences on the 'Abraham Accords' and the normalisation of relations with the Arab world. "Politics, diplomacy and the international community can stop the war, not religious leaders".

Francis made a new appeal at the Angelus, calling again for the release of the hostages. He warned that “already many have died. Please, let no more innocent blood be shed”. He urged the faithful around the world to take part in the day of prayer and fasting called by the Church of the Holy Land for Tuesday, 17 October. On Nagorno Karabakh, the pontiff urged local authorities and population to respect monasteries and places of worship, “sign of a fraternity that makes it possible to live together despite differences.”

The attack by a "foreigner" took place in Beijing’s embassy district. While China offers its services as a mediator in the conflict, Israel views this coldly after Beijing failed to explicitly condemn the massacres of seven days ago. China is also taking a low profile vis-à-vis its own citizens killed or held by Hamas in Gaza.

The "piecemeal world war" evoked for years by Pope Francis is indeed turning into an increasingly global confrontation. Russia sees in this, the realisation of its "mission" to challenge the domination of the "collective" West. Solzhenitsyn's words about the troubled relationship between Russians and Jews come to mind.

The Secretary of State hopes that some "room for dialogue" can be found “without delay". Peace must be based on "justice" and a two-state solution. The “hostages must be returned immediately”. Pro-Palestinian rallies break out across the Middle East. Hamas calls for resistance amid fears of a “second Nakba". Card Pizzaballa laments the "dramatic" situation, fearing that the conflict "is becoming increasingly religious".

Today's news: three Chinese victims among the thousands killed in the war between Israel and Hamas; Dozens of Filipino migrants sue US company over working conditions at World Cup construction sites in Qatar; Beijing repatriated over 500 North Korean exiles at the end of the Asian Games; Japan wants to disband the Unification Church; The low-cost carrier flydubai is the first international carrier to operate in Kabul; Opposition' candidate identified for next year's elections in Russia.

The president of the Focolare Movement, an Arab Christian who hails from Haifa, spoke at this tragic moment for Israel and Palestine. “I asked myself what am I doing here?" she said. “Should I not do something else to promote peace at this time?” But praying and learning to walk together even with different ideas is a sign of peace for the world too. “Jewish friends I know in Israel have called me [. . .] saying that they are worried about those who live in Gaza.” We should not stop at the horror. “We have collective images of these two peoples that do not correspond to the reality.”

South Korean President Yoon slams the "indiscriminate attack” from Gaza on Israeli territory, which has reawakened fears about his own country’s national security. Similar to Israel’s flawed Iron Dome, South Korea’s own US$ 2.6 billion interceptor system could become operational as early as 2026. South Korea might suspend the Comprehensive Military Agreement signed in 2018 with North Korea; Seoul accuses Pyongyang of violating it 17 times.