The secretary general of Catholic schools spoke to AsiaNews about the climate of fear and mourning in his country a day after Israeli’s devastating attack. “We have never experienced anything so strong, serious, and sudden,” he said, speaking on the eve of peace talks in Pakistan. Meanwhile, he remains committed to keeping teaching alive, online and in person.

Despite President Joseph Aoun's efforts to include his country in the Pakistan-brokered agreement, the Netanyahu government has intensified military action with 89 deaths in a single day. Hezbollah halted the attacks, declaring victory, but Trump said that Lebanon was not included in the deal. A convoy with Patriarch al-Rahi was prevented from reaching Debel, due to tensions between Israeli forces and the UNIFIL escort.

Christians are taking part in Holy Week rites torn between traditional fervour and the burden of an explosive and unpredictable regional context, feeling occupied from within by Hezbollah and bearing the already considerable human cost of the war with Israel. Churches are packed for Good Friday in areas spared from the bombardment. Divisions among Christian leaders weigh heavily.

Expert wars of a "depressing and grim" situation in the country. Hezbollah’s accusations of treason, along with its open challenge to the government, threaten to further inflame the domestic situation. The arrival of US Marines in the region fuels fears of escalation. Meanwhile, Israel continues to advance across the border in the south.

In AsiaNews, Fr Ielpo describes the run-up to Easter amidst the war in the Gulf and the closure of the holy sites. He condemns the violence perpetrated by settlers in the West Bank: “Serious acts against people who want to live in peace”. His account of southern Lebanon, which he has just visited. Prayer as an ‘essential’ path to a peace ‘that comes from above’. An appeal to Christians worldwide to ‘carry this yet another cross together’.

Whilst Hezbollah continues to drag the whole of Lebanon into its “final battle” with Israel, dividing politics and society, the Christian villages of the South are clinging to their land. Over 20% of the country’s total population is now displaced. Whilst direct clashes are reported between militiamen from the pro-Iranian party and the Israeli army in Khyam, “exploratory” talks continue for a diplomatic solution between the Land of the Cedars and the Jewish state.