Father Bahjat Karakach, the parish priest at Aleppo’s Church of St. Francis of Assisi, described the palpable anxiety gripping the city. “We hear the cannon fire distinctly. People are terrified; schools and catechism classes are suspended. The fear is overwhelming, and for three nights, no one has been able to sleep,” he shared. The priest highlighted the exhaustion of a population already battered by over a decade of war. “There’s no energy left to endure another battle. We thought this might just be a threat, but now it’s a grim reality.

A City on Edge

Aleppo, once Syria’s economic powerhouse, is now a haunting symbol of war’s devastation. The offensive has brought the conflict to its doorstep once more, with the sounds of artillery echoing through the city and bombs killing civilians, including four university students near a dormitory.

The offensive underscores the fragile nature of the 2020 ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey, which halted Assad’s push into Idlib but failed to bring lasting peace. Sporadic clashes and airstrikes never ceased, but recent geopolitical shifts have reignited hostilities. Reports suggest that Russian forces, Assad’s key allies, have intensified their aerial assaults, while Turkish-backed groups have complicated the landscape further.

Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, noted the surprising disarray within Assad’s ranks. “Despite Russian air support, they were unprepared for an attack of this scale,” he said. Meanwhile, the international community appears paralyzed, distracted by other crises in the Middle East.

Humanitarian Fallout

The renewed fighting has deepened the humanitarian crisis in Idlib, home to over four million people, many of whom are displaced and living in dire conditions. The United Nations reports that nearly 7,000 families have been displaced in the past week alone, with humanitarian organizations warning of deteriorating conditions as winter sets in.

Francesco Patton, the Custodian of the Holy Land, confirmed that a bomb recently struck the Franciscan Terra Santa College in Aleppo. While there were no casualties, the incident has heightened fear among the city’s already traumatized residents. “The tension is unbearable, and the population is gripped by growing fear,” he said. “We call on all Christians to join us in prayer for Syria’s peace.”

The Political Stalemate and a Call for Action

Father Karakach attributes the escalation to a prolonged political deadlock that has left Syria in limbo. “Temporary agreements were never sustainable, and the lack of a definitive solution has only fueled despair,” he remarked. He called on the international community to intervene decisively before the situation spirals further out of control.

The timing of the offensive, coinciding with the Christian season of Advent, has disrupted preparations for Christmas among Aleppo’s Christian community. “The atmosphere has shifted dramatically,” Father Karakach said. “We strive to maintain joy, but the weight of fear hangs over us. We pray for change and cling to hope for a brighter future.”

As bombs continue to fall and the death toll rises, Aleppo and the broader region await desperately needed peace—a peace that feels ever more elusive in the shadows of renewed war.

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France’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, had been set to visit the church complex—known as Eleona in French—but abruptly canceled after learning of the police intrusion, calling it “unacceptable.” France’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded swiftly, declaring it would summon Israel’s ambassador to address what it described as a violation of diplomatic protocol.

The incident has added strain to an already tense relationship between France and Israel. French officials reported that Israeli authorities had been instructed not to enter the property before Barrot’s arrival, a directive that was disregarded. Witnesses on the scene described an altercation between the plain-clothed French gendarmes and Israeli security. According to reports, Israeli police pushed one gendarme to the ground as he attempted to identify himself, repeatedly shouting, “Do not touch me,” before being escorted to a police vehicle. Both gendarmes were released shortly after their identities were confirmed, but the disturbance left a sour note, with Barrot expressing concerns outside the church grounds.

Barrot’s diplomatic visit, which was intended to foster closer relations, has been overshadowed by the altercation. “This violation of a site under French stewardship risks undermining the diplomatic ties I came here to strengthen,” Barrot told reporters, visibly unsettled. France has long viewed its four church properties in Jerusalem as extensions of French sovereignty, and any breach of these sanctuaries is considered a serious matter.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued that the police intervention was a matter of security protocol, claiming that the French officers failed to identify themselves and attempted to obstruct the Shin Bet security personnel. However, French diplomats have rejected this version of events, alleging “false accusations” from Israeli authorities. Images released by AFP show Israeli officers cautioning the French security team to display identification in the future, with one of the gendarmes responding that the officers already knew of his diplomatic status.

The recent incident is not an isolated case. Tensions have flared in the past regarding French-administered properties in Jerusalem, often amid larger geopolitical disputes. In 2020, President Emmanuel Macron forcefully demanded that Israeli guards exit the French-controlled Church of Saint Anne. And back in 1996, President Jacques Chirac publicly scolded Israeli security for what he deemed “provocative” behavior during his visit.

Adding to this current diplomatic standoff, relations between France and Israel have deteriorated over France’s stance on arms exports to Israel. French President Emmanuel Macron recently advocated ending supplies of offensive weapons used in Gaza, citing humanitarian concerns. France has also signaled its disapproval of Israeli military actions in both Gaza and Lebanon, and, earlier this year, attempted to limit Israeli arms firms from showcasing their wares at a defense expo in Paris.

Barrot’s visit was initially planned to include talks on regional stability and peace-building efforts, especially in the wake of the recent U.S. elections. However, this latest incident is seen by some analysts as a setback for diplomatic engagement, raising questions about the potential for de-escalation in a highly polarized region.

As diplomatic channels remain open, Paris and Tel Aviv are under mounting pressure to address the incident, with France urging respect for its properties and Israel emphasizing security concerns. This complex situation continues to unfold, adding another chapter to the long history of tension surrounding foreign-administered sites in Jerusalem.

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Hazboun noted that this conflict has reached a level of destruction that “exceeds any prior experience,” citing Israel’s intensified offensive over the past year as retaliation for a 2023 Hamas attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis. Humanitarian aid, already limited, has become almost impossible to deliver after Israel rescinded UNRWA’s authorization to operate in Gaza on November 4, putting the main lifeline of assistance at risk.

The conflict’s impact is also catastrophic in Lebanon, according to Michel Constantin, CNEWA’s Beirut regional director. Since Hezbollah’s October 2023 rocket attacks on Israel from Lebanon’s southern border, Israel’s Defense Forces have retaliated with extensive airstrikes that have displaced over 1.2 million people, most fleeing to the north in search of safety. With a quarter of the country under Israeli evacuation orders, entire towns have been emptied, and Constantin estimates that “nearly 90% of the southern population has left,” many now taking refuge without adequate shelter, power, or heat as winter looms.

Constantin fears Lebanon is on the brink of a new humanitarian crisis. The destruction and population shifts could destabilize communities, especially as displaced Shiite families resettle in the Sunni-majority north. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s already fragile economy faces further collapse under the strain of ongoing conflict and displacement.

The West Bank, too, has seen heightened unrest, as Israeli raids in search of Palestinian militants have devastated local agriculture and driven away the vital tourism sector. Hazboun said that olive farmers—many of whom depend on the harvest for their annual income—are especially affected, unable to reach their fields due to escalating settler violence. The social fabric between Palestinians and Israelis is also fraying; “life in Jerusalem appears calm, but the tension is unbearable,” he noted. Fear has forced many in the Christian community to stay close to home, a stark change in daily life.

CNEWA’s humanitarian director, Michael La Civita, emphasized that these challenges are driving Middle Eastern Christians to emigrate, especially as Gaza’s Christians—numbering only a few hundred—face increasing marginalization. Once 20% of the region’s population, Christians now make up barely 1% in the Holy Land, La Civita explained. He cautioned that if global intervention doesn’t ease the suffering, “Christian communities in the Middle East could face extinction.”

International efforts to halt the violence are ongoing, but CNEWA’s call for “prayers, informed support, and solidarity” reflects a dire need for immediate intervention. Caritas Internationalis, joining a coalition of over 150 aid organizations, urged the UN in October to act against the “escalating civilian casualties in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, the U.S. has demanded that Israel improve humanitarian aid access in Gaza, with diplomatic pressure mounting as Washington reviews military aid conditions.

“We are all called to seek justice and peace,” La Civita stated in a plea to American Catholics, underscoring that every act of compassion—from donations to advocacy—can “offer solace to those who feel abandoned.”

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With these new additions, the total number of churches and religious buildings that have achieved legalized status under Law No. 80 of 2016 now stands at 3,453, reflecting substantial progress since the establishment of the main committee overseeing the law’s implementation. Article 8 of the law, which governs church construction and renovation across Egypt, outlines rigorous safety and legal standards, ensuring that places of worship meet national regulations. 

A Structured Approach to Religious Diversity

The government’s dedication to legalizing religious establishments marks a broader push for stability and cohesion. By adapting these institutions to meet specific standards, Egypt is fostering an environment of respect and inclusion. The ongoing effort illustrates an intention not just to regularize religious buildings, but to integrate diverse religious practices within a secure and legally supported framework.

«This initiative aligns closely with Egypt’s commitment to fostering a peaceful coexistence between various religious communities,» reported EgyptToday. Regularized places of worship reflect Egypt’s determination to ensure that people of all faiths can worship freely and safely, a principle central to the ethos of the “New Republic.”

A Step Toward Freedom of Worship

In recent years, Egypt has made strides in reinforcing religious freedom, receiving and addressing petitions from multiple denominations seeking the legal status needed to operate openly and securely. Each approval, including this latest wave of 293 churches, highlights a transparent and inclusive approach to religious governance that benefits diverse communities.

Prime Minister Madbouly’s Cabinet approvals signify not just administrative progress but a vision of a society where religious institutions are viewed as pillars of community harmony. By weaving religious freedom into the country’s broader narrative of reform, Egypt is making strides toward a society rooted in mutual respect and legal clarity, where religious diversity is not merely accepted but actively supported.

This development sets a precedent for other nations in the region, showcasing Egypt’s commitment to both the rule of law and to fostering a balanced, inclusive society.

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