Hamas: ‘Fierce fighting’ in Gaza. Christians look to Pope Leo XIV ‘with hope’

Today's news highlights: In tariff negotiations with Beijing, President Trump wants to raise the “case” of Jimmy Lai; Human rights groups appeal to Riyadh for the release of an activist in solitary confinement since February; Afghanistan is becoming a “strategic corridor” linking Central and South Asia; Despite the ceasefire, Myanmar’s junta continues air raids, destroying a hospital in Bago; In Nepal, pro-monarchy groups unite to push for the return of the king.

​ISRAEL - PALESTINE - UN
Hamas militants report “fierce fighting” with Israeli soldiers yesterday in the southern Gaza Strip near Rafah. At least two Israeli soldiers were reportedly killed in the clashes, while among Palestinians in Gaza, 106 were killed and 367 injured in the past 24 hours (Wafa sources). Since the start of the war, 52,760 Palestinians have been killed and 119,264 wounded. According to Palestinian sources, the Israeli state has dropped 100,000 tons of explosives on Gaza over the past 19 months. Meanwhile, Israeli security forces yesterday shut down three schools run by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) in East Jerusalem. Finally, Christians in Gaza and throughout the Holy Land look to the new Pope Leo XIV with hope, wishing that, like Pope Francis, he will continue to show closeness to a community ravaged by war.

CHINA - UNITED STATES
U.S. President Donald Trump wants to raise the case of Jimmy Lai during “negotiations” with China on trade and tariffs. Lai is a Catholic entrepreneur and founder of the Apple Daily newspaper, shut down and imprisoned for over four years for advocating democracy. He was convicted under the National Security Law. “I think raising Jimmy Lai’s case is a great idea,” said the President. Beijing has consistently refused to address the issue.

SAUDI ARABIA
Human rights groups (including Alqst, Dawn, and Human Rights Watch) are appealing to Riyadh for the release of a 51-year-old mother of five, held in solitary confinement since February and in poor health. Activist groups report that Nourah bint Saeed al-Qahtani’s health has rapidly deteriorated in recent months. She is serving a 45-year prison sentence handed down by the notorious Specialised Criminal Court (SCC) in August 2022 for social media posts critical of the authorities.

AFGHANISTAN - CENTRAL ASIA
Afghanistan is emerging as a strategic corridor linking Central and South Asia, thanks to recent projects launched by Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to build railway lines through the country. The aim is to create shorter and more efficient connections to boost regional economic ties, trade, and passenger traffic.

MYANMAR
Despite the ceasefire following the recent earthquake, the military junta continues to launch air raids affecting civilians. According to the Karen National Union (KNU), attacks hit villages in the southeast Bago region near the Mon State border, destroying a hospital and forcing over 8,000 people to flee their homes.

NEPAL
After years of disputes and divisions, pro-monarchy forces are uniting to restore a Hindu king to Nepal, which became a republic in 2008. Having made little progress amid intense internal rivalries, pro-Hindu and monarchist groups have rallied around 87-year-old Nabaraj Subedi, a leader from the Panchayat era.

ORTHODOX CHURCH - RUSSIA
The Patriarch of Moscow, Kirill, sent a congratulatory message to President Vladimir Putin on the 25th anniversary of his presidency. “A quarter-century that has been decisive for Russia’s history, which survived only thanks to President Putin’s leadership” in the face of great challenges, and to his “boundless love,” he concluded, “for the people and the homeland.”

ARMENIA
A poll by the Armenian branch of the Gallup center, presented by director Aram Navasardyan, shows that 37% of Armenians believe in the real possibility of joining the European Union. A similar percentage views the prospect “with skepticism or negatively.” The formal application has not yet been submitted, although a supporting law has been passed.

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