Abu Mohammed Al-Julani, leader of the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant (HTS) group, led the attacks on the Syrian government of al-Assad’s regime. His group is made up of Suni militants headed by a former member of Al Qaeda. Al-Julani severed his ties with the Islamist terrorist organization in 2016, but his deep down position regarding coexistence with Christians is unknown. In political matters, he declared to Western governments on December 8 that he will seek the nation’s stability. “The country will be rebuilt. The fear stemmed from the presence of the regime. Now, Syria will move towards development, reconstruction and stability.”

Mohammed al-Bashir, the head of another group, which promoted the fall off the Assad regime, is now Syria’s interim Prime Minister. He said on national television that he will stay in this office until March 1, heading  a transition government.

The Christian leaders of Aleppo met on December 9 with representatives of the armed groups, according to Fides Agency.

The meeting was held in the Franciscan convent of Aleppo, where the Apostolic Vicariate resides of Latin Rite Catholics. A Bishop who attended the meeting said that the forces in power are of Islamist origin and it seems they want to maintain the ordinary life of the ecclesial communities.

In regard to the meeting, Monsignor Audo said to Fides Agency that the rebel groups want to build trust, “respecting our traditions and our prayers. I told them that we, as Arab Christians, represent a unique reality in history and in the world. I recalled some examples of the history of Arab Muslims with Christians and the Christians’ contribution to that history. I added that the status of the dhimmi [non-Muslim citizens in a State under Islamic Law] can be interpreted both negatively as well as positively, and that Christians can’t be second class citizens, hence, we must work together. They seemed very interested in these considerations.”

Given the former relations with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, there is mistrust of the leaders now governing Syria. Monsignor Audo concluded: “We were all present: Bishops, Priests and Religious. The meeting was very positive.”

That same day, Argentine Father Hugo Alaniz, parish priest of Our Lady of the Annunciation in Aleppo since 2017, after working several years in different Arab countries, said to Crux online newspaper: “In 2012 and 2013, insurgent groups attacked Christians and other minorities in some regions. Now many people feared that something like this could happen again and left their homes.”

Father Alaniz said that he was informed by HTS that no church will be closed and that Christians will be respected. “They said that minorities will be treated well. Women will not be obliged to wear the hijab. The (official) free days will be Thursdays and Fridays, but for Christian children they will continue to be Saturdays and Sundays.”

The post Syria: Muslim Jihadists Assure They Will Not Go Against Christians appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Long-Awaited Freedom 

Layan, an Anglican parishioner from Birzeit in the West Bank, endured an ordeal that began abruptly in the early hours of April 7. Israeli soldiers reportedly stormed her family home, waking them at 4 a.m., before blindfolding and handcuffing her. Taken from her loved ones, she spent eight months in Damon Prison in Israel, where communication with her family was prohibited, and contact with a lawyer was minimal.

Lian Kaid, another young Christian detainee, experienced a similarly harrowing separation. Her family’s pleas, including a letter from her mother to Pope Francis requesting intervention, went unanswered during her captivity. Even her parish priest was denied the opportunity to offer her Communion.

 Church Leaders Speak Out 

The case of Layan Nasir drew strong condemnation from global religious leaders. Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby decried her detention, describing it as an abuse of administrative detention laws, calling the practice both «legally and morally indefensible.» He highlighted the violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, pointing out that transferring Layan from the West Bank to a prison in Israel contravenes international law. During his recent visit to the region, Welby met with Layan’s family, lending his support and prayers.

In the aftermath of their release, Reverend Munther Isaac, a Lutheran pastor in Bethlehem, took to social media to celebrate. “Layan Nasir is free,” he wrote. “We pray for the freedom of all those imprisoned unjustly.”

The Episcopal Church echoed these sentiments in a statement, offering gratitude for Layan’s freedom but lamenting the plight of thousands of Palestinians still held in administrative detention. “We continue to call for the release of all unjustly detained Palestinians and for the return of Israeli hostages. Justice and peace in the Holy Land must remain our unwavering goal.”

A Broader Struggle for Justice 

Administrative detention, a practice widely criticized by human rights organizations, allows imprisonment without trial or charges, often for indefinite periods. Advocates argue it infringes on fundamental rights and disproportionately affects Palestinians. Layan and Lian’s release serves as a stark reminder of the thousands who remain in similar conditions, separated from their families and communities.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Israel frees two young Christian women arbitrarily detained by Jewish regime appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Meeting Marked by Urgency and Hope

President Abbas, often referred to as Abu Mazen, met with Pope Francis in a 30-minute private audience that underscored the shared aspiration for peace in one of the world’s most conflict-ridden regions. The conversation extended to the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, where Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher joined discussions on the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

According to a statement from the Vatican Press Office, the dialogue emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire and the liberation of hostages in Gaza. Both parties reiterated their condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and stressed the necessity of dialogue and diplomacy to achieve a two-state solution. Jerusalem, envisioned as a place of unity for Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, was highlighted as needing special international protection.

Gifts with Meaning

The exchange of gifts during the meeting was poignant. Alongside the icon of Saint Porphyrius—a 4th-century bishop who led the Christian community in Gaza—Abbas presented artworks commemorating Pope Francis’ 2014 visit to Bethlehem. These included a painting of the Pope at the separation wall and another portraying the Pope alongside Abbas. In return, Pope Francis gifted a bronze sculpture symbolizing fragile peace, inscribed with the words, “Peace is a fragile flower,” alongside volumes containing his annual Peace Day message and writings on the papal residence.

Abbas’ Vision for Peace

Following the audience, President Abbas described the encounter as “like meeting an old friend.” He expressed gratitude for the Pope’s consistent advocacy for Middle Eastern peace and support for Palestinian civilians. Abbas reaffirmed the critical importance of international recognition for a Palestinian state, reiterating that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to lasting peace.

Reflecting on past Vatican meetings, Abbas recalled the June 9, 2014 event where he, Pope Francis, and former Israeli President Shimon Peres planted an olive tree in the Vatican Gardens as a gesture of peace. “That moment remains etched in the memory of the Palestinian people,” Abbas remarked, underscoring its historical significance. 

A Call for Pilgrimage and Peace

As the Jubilee year approaches, Pope Francis and his counterparts expressed hopes for the return of pilgrims to the Holy Land, a region yearning for stability and reconciliation. This aspiration reflects a broader vision of fostering understanding among the world’s faiths and communities, with Jerusalem as a beacon of coexistence.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post A Historic Icon and a Call for Peace: Pope Francis Meets Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A Village Caught in Crossfire 

The devastation of Qaouzah is one of the starkest examples of the regional fallout following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre of 1,200 Israeli civilians. As tensions escalated, Qaouzah’s strategic location, offering commanding views of Mount Carmel, Haifa, and the Mediterranean, turned it into a contested site.

Father Toni Hannéh, the village priest, remained in Qaouzah long after most of its 180 residents fled in fear. “I held daily Mass in the empty village, praying for their return,” he said in a December 3 interview. Eventually, the worsening danger forced him to leave as well. Only one of the village’s 88 houses remains intact, and the church of St. Joseph, built in 1927, was heavily damaged.

The Targeting of Christian Communities 

Unlike Qaouzah, nearby Christian villages such as Debel avoided similar devastation. Many residents declared neutrality through diplomatic channels, limiting their losses. However, local sources suggest that Hezbollah frequently establishes operations in Christian areas to shield Muslim-majority villages from Israeli retaliation.

This strategy has profound implications. “Hezbollah is exploiting the conflict to weaken the Christian presence in Lebanon,” said a local Christian source. The group reportedly occupies abandoned homes and conducts activities that invite destruction, further eroding the Christian cultural and economic footprint.

Economic and Cultural Losses 

Qaouzah’s destruction extends beyond its buildings, impacting vital agricultural resources that sustained the broader region. Fields of zaatar (a prized Middle Eastern thyme) and olive groves were key to the village’s economy.

Before the conflict, Qaouzah’s cooperative produced over 800 kilograms of dried zaatar annually, cultivated on 12,000 square meters of land. Its 8,000 olive trees yielded 50,000 liters of oil each year. Now, this economic engine is paralyzed, with the soil contaminated by phosphorus from bombings. Experts estimate it will take at least five years to restore agricultural activity.

The village also held archaeological treasures, including Roman-era artifacts and a monastery linked to St. Helena. These cultural assets, vital to Lebanon’s Christian heritage, face an uncertain future.

The Fight to Rebuild 

Despite the destruction, displaced Christians are determined to reclaim Qaouzah. Father Hannéh emphasized the residents’ resilience: “They are already organizing efforts to rebuild their homes, revive the cooperative, and preserve their heritage.”

He called for international Christian solidarity to accelerate the recovery. “Without external support, the dream of returning to Qaouzah will be difficult to realize,” he said.

Father Hannéh remains hopeful, drawing on the Christian ethos of resurrection: “The faithful, though wounded, refuse to give up. They see their village rising again, like Christ—crucified, resurrected, and glorified.”

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Israel and Hezbollah destroy Catholic village in Lebanon: only one house left standing appeared first on ZENIT - English.

Despite Israeli military orders urging residents to evacuate south via designated corridors, many parishioners of the Church of the Holy Family have refused to abandon their homes. “Why should we leave our houses? None of us are part of this conflict,” Father Romanelli emphasized. The priest voiced concerns about the conditions in the south, where displaced Palestinians, numbering in the millions, are already crammed into makeshift camps.

A Community Under Siege

The constant noise of helicopters and bombings provides an unrelenting backdrop to life in Gaza. “Day and night, there is no respite,” Father Romanelli reported, highlighting the northwest areas of Jabalia and Shati as particularly affected. Families from these regions, including some Christian households, have been issued strict evacuation orders.

For now, Gaza’s Christian population has found refuge in two locations: Father Romanelli’s parish and a nearby Orthodox church. However, this sanctuary is precarious. Key Catholic facilities, such as the Caritas headquarters and the St. Thomas Aquinas training center, have already been ordered to evacuate. While these buildings were fortunately empty due to ongoing repairs, the message is clear—the threat is closing in.

«We Cannot Leave Our Parish»

Father Romanelli underscored the steadfastness of his community, who refuse to abandon their spiritual home despite the danger. “What would our Christians do in the south? There, they would join millions living in destitution, surviving under tarps. Here, we are surrounded by what remains of our Catholic community,” he explained.

The priest also expressed hope that the global Church would amplify their plight. He praised Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, for his advocacy and revealed that Pope Francis has been making regular calls to stay updated on their dire situation.

A Test of Faith and Survival

The future of Gaza’s Christians hangs precariously on what Father Romanelli referred to as the “plan of the generals.” The parish remains a beacon of faith for the community, even as war encroaches on every side.

Father Romanelli issued an urgent plea to the West: “Our story must be heard. We need the world to understand that amidst this conflict, there are those who simply want to live in peace, to preserve their homes, and to keep their faith alive.”

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Gaza: Catholic community resists leaving their land, bombarded by Israel appeared first on ZENIT - English.

A pact that ‘seems almost dormant at the moment’, but which remains a valid ‘basis’ for relaunching ‘the issue of regional peace’, hypothesising ‘even a name change’, in order to untangle the ‘knot with Saudi Arabia’.

This is what Jordanian professor and geopolitical analyst Amer Al Sabaileh, an expert on Middle Eastern issues, international security, and the politics of peace processes in crisis areas, emphasises to AsiaNews.

The scholar, born in Amman and a contributor to several international publications including The Jordan Times, recognises the value of the agreements signed in the Tycoon’s first four years in the White House, which could still ‘be useful’.

‘However,’ he continues, “the name should undergo a change compatible with the demands” of Riyadh, which is “the largest country and represents the Sunni Islamic world”. However, ‘the concept of religious coexistence, rapprochement between the faiths’ remains central and the ‘Agreements’ could always be ‘the main node on which to rebuild a new model’.

Riyadh: zero conflict

In recent weeks, international (and regional) diplomacy has been moving the pawns in an attempt to defuse the numerous hotbeds of war and tension burning in the Middle East. The visit – in a rare high-level meeting – of the head of the Saudi armed forces, General Fayyad al-Ruwaili, to Tehran, where he met his Iranian counterpart Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, fits into this perspective.

At the centre was the development of ‘defence diplomacy’ and an ‘expansion of bilateral cooperation’, at a stage when the two powers of Sunni and Shia Islam are ‘strengthening relations’ in a framework far removed from Trump’s first victory. In 2016, Iran and Saudi Arabia severed ties following attacks on Riyadh’s diplomatic missions in the Islamic Republic during protests over the execution in the Wahhabi kingdom of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Relations already marked by the opposing sides in Yemen, with the Saudis supporting the government recognised by the international community and the Iranians close to the Houthi rebels.

‘Saudi Arabia today aspires to play a fundamental and ambitious regional and global role,’ Al Sabaileh stresses, ’based on economic power that revolves around the concept of stability, especially after the experience in Yemen. The war has shown an ease in carrying the crisis within the borders and putting strategic sites such as oil companies under attack. Riyadh intends to pursue the goal of ‘zero conflict’, it does not want to represent itself as a threat’ and in this perspective “aims at rapprochement with Tehran” also because instability and clashes “contradict the Vision 2030 plan” of Moḥammad bin Salman (Mbs). It aspires, the expert continues, to become ‘a regional economic and energy hub, as well as a sports hub’ with the Football World Cup in 2034 and other events of equal importance. In this perspective, ‘a war against Iran would have serious consequences for Saudi ambitions’ and would run counter to the ideal of ‘mediation in crises’. The first step ‘is to re-establish an alliance’ regionally and in the Muslim world ‘to find a political solution to the Palestinian issue and, consequently, to the war in Lebanon’.

2016-2024: Trump and the Middle East

Among the leaders of dozens of Arab and Muslim nations gathered in the Saudi capital, many speculated on the meaning – and choices – of a second Trump presidency and, unlike the fears that linger in Europe, unpredictability could be a force for stability.

After all, Trump is viewed more favourably in Saudi Arabia than outgoing President Joe Biden and the Democratic administration, whose influence has waned in recent years, with a White House incapable of stemming Israel’s wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

A picture of deep uncertainty and confusion remains, with rumours of negotiations and confidential meetings later denied by the diplomacies of the countries involved.

Evidence of this is the alleged meeting between Elon Musk, Trump’s right-hand man and recently called to co-direct the new Department for Efficiency in the US government: according to the New York Times, which quoted anonymous Iranian sources, the billionaire allegedly had a face-to-face meeting with Amir Saeid Iravani, Tehran’s ambassador to the UN, although the news has not been confirmed either by the Iranian side or by the president-elect’s transition team.

It was Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei who ‘categorically denied such a meeting’ and also expressed ‘surprise’ at the coverage given by the American media.

The differences between 2016 and 2024 ‘obviously are many’, Amer Al Sabaileh emphasised, especially ‘the question of stability in the region’, as well as the challenges ‘for the open fronts of conflict’ that threaten to block Trump’s economic aims, from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean. ‘There are many problems,’ he continues, ’so the first point will be security, the presence of militias, and the open conflicts in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq that threaten any future economic corridor.

Then there is the ‘stabilisation in Gaza: around these issues,’ says the Jordanian scholar, ‘I believe there will be a fundamental change from the previous mandate’ at the White House, although ‘imposing a solution will not be easy and will not be able to satisfy everyone. This will require a much more rigid policy, but one that is equally determined: this may be his challenge for at least the first two years’.

In the past, Trump has exploited the tensions between Riyadh and Tehran to bring Israel closer to the Gulf countries and introduce not only the Abrahamic Agreements, but also the ‘military’ side by moving the Jewish State ‘under the wing of CentCom (United States Central Command), no longer of the European division: this was a very important step’. Now, he warns, the point is to link peace with Israel ‘to the recognition of a Palestinian state’.

Palestine and Iran: the paths to peace

The Arab and Muslim countries discussed the issue on 11 November, setting a common table that calls for an immediate ceasefire and reiterates the two-state solution – Israel and Palestine – for peace in the region. On the occasion, Mohammad bin Salman spoke of the ‘genocide’ taking place in Gaza and, in a joint note at the conclusion of the summit, the participants condemned the aggression that is spreading to Iraq, Syria and Iran after bloodshed in the Strip and the Land of the Cedars.

‘The concept of recognising a Palestinian state,’ Al Sabaileh says, “is mandatory in a peace package, also to prepare the region for future economic projects” and the Israelis ’will have to compromise and concede something, especially with Trump. ‘A good Israeli intention guaranteed by the Americans,’ he adds, ’would open the dialogue because Saudi Arabia could also, with great pragmatism, see the opportunity to build the solution, not wait for it to be outlined by others.

Then there is the stone guest, the Islamic Republic that ‘should be seen as various Iranes, not just one: there is the hostile one,’ the scholar explains, ‘of the policy of regional aggression that has formed militias, groups around Israel’ from Lebanon to Syria, from Iraq to Yemen. ‘With this Iran,’ he says, ‘I do not think there will be any tolerance.

However, since the death of President Ebrahim Raisi we have seen a pragmatic line emerge, which tries to find solutions to problems. The conflict we see outside the country is also internal, at least on a political level’ and the rise of Masoud Pezeshkian has brought, at least in words, an attempt at “reconciliation with the world”.

Not least because these recent wars have weakened the Guardians of the Revolution and the groups linked to them, from Hamas to Hezbollah. The defeats suffered by the Pasdaran and their affiliates, the expert concludes, could push ‘Iranian policy to look more inward and prioritise development, with a less aggressive foreign diplomacy that Trump could exploit’.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Al Sabaileh: the Abraham Accords and Trump’s second term appeared first on ZENIT - English.

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.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Israel invades the famous Pater Noster church in Jerusalem and sparks diplomatic conflict with France appeared first on ZENIT - English.

The new law includes a strict prohibition on Israeli authorities contacting the agency, which could severely hamper UNRWA’s ongoing relief operations in Gaza, where they provide food, healthcare, and education. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the move as “unheard of,” while officials from Britain, the United States, and other nations have urged Israel to reconsider, warning of escalating humanitarian disaster in the densely populated enclave.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed grave concern, stressing that “only the UNRWA has the scale and capacity to deliver essential aid” in Gaza’s conflict zones, adding that this legislation risks making it “impossible” to maintain necessary relief efforts. The United States government has also pressed Israel to pause the legislation, calling it a step that could lead to “catastrophic consequences” for Palestinian civilians.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded by stating that his government is “ready to work with international partners to ensure humanitarian aid reaches Gaza’s civilians without compromising Israel’s security.” However, the restriction on UNRWA’s presence, many fear, jeopardizes this goal and adds to ongoing concerns regarding the rights and safety of Palestinian refugees, according to William Bell, Christian Aid’s regional head for the Middle East. He emphasized that this move is part of Israel’s broader opposition to Palestinian refugees’ “right of return” and warned it could contravene international measures aimed at preventing genocide.

UNRWA has been a lifeline for Gaza’s population, carrying out hundreds of thousands of interventions for families affected by the ongoing conflict. However, its facilities have increasingly come under fire amid military operations. A recent UNRWA report reveals 464 attacks on its structures and personnel, including 74 incidents of military interference, leading to the deaths of 563 refugees and injuries to nearly 1,800. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, voiced strong condemnation, saying Israel’s actions in northern Gaza “risk a wholesale evacuation of Palestinians,” and may constitute “atrocious crimes” possibly amounting to crimes against humanity.

On November 5, Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, warned that this blockade could end vital services in Gaza, leaving most residents without food, medical aid, or education. Meanwhile, Joyce Msuya, the UN’s emergency relief coordinator, stated, “Every single person in northern Gaza is at risk of death. This blatant disregard for basic humanity and the laws of war must stop.”

Among the most vulnerable are Gaza’s children. UNICEF spokesperson James Elder reports that over 2,400 children urgently need medical care, but daily evacuations are now down to a trickle, with fewer than one child per day able to leave. Elder pointed to the severe conditions for Gaza’s youth: head trauma, amputations, severe malnutrition, and cancer cases remain untreated, as Israel provides no explanation for blocking their exit. He added, “Children are dying in Gaza not only from bombs and bullets but from the lack of access to lifesaving care. They survive the explosions, only to be trapped, unable to receive medical attention.”

This recent law marks a stark escalation in the region’s political tensions, with growing concern for its impact on civilian lives and an already strained humanitarian landscape in Gaza.

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Israel’s Ban on UNRWA Sparks International Outcry, Raises Alarm for Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis appeared first on ZENIT - English.

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.”

Thank you for reading our content. If you would like to receive ZENIT’s daily e-mail news, you can subscribe for free through this link.

The post Dire Warnings from Holy Land Leaders as Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza, Lebanon, and West Bank appeared first on ZENIT - English.

CAFOD is the English Catholic Church’s agency for international aid, equivalent to the Spanish Manos Abiertas [Open Hands]. It is working in the Holy Land jointly with Caritas-Jerusalem to finish vaccinating half a million children against polio.

During an August truce, it was able to vaccinate the children of the Gaza Strip, but a second dose is necessary now, some weeks later, for it to have maximum effectiveness, and Israel is not waging for any truce, but for a hardening of blockades and combats.

Nevertheless, in a press release on day 27, CAFOD explained that “contrary to what the media says, some aid is able to arrive,” but there is evidence that the war makes humanitarian and health aid terribly difficult, including for children.

“After surviving more than a year of conflict, the children trapped in Gaza need urgent medical intervention, to reduce the spread of potentially mortal diseases such as polio,” said CAFOD. “The first round of the UN’s vaccination program against polio was successfully completed in August, after Israel agreed to a brief temporary ceasefire to enable the program to continue. However, tragically, the program’s last round had to be postponed, by the World Health Organization, due to the lack of security for the participating children and their families, as well as for health workers,”  given that Israel doesn’t cease the attacks and bombardments.

The Second Dose Must Be Applied Now

The vaccination against polio is more effective when a second dose is administered, approximately between 4 and 6 weeks after the first. The critical moment for that second vital dose is now, at the end of October and the beginning of November.

“If a significant number of children do not receive the second dose of the vaccine, the efforts to stop the transmission of the polio virus in Gaza will be in grave danger. This could also cause a wider spread of the polio virus in the Gaza Strip and neighbouring counties, with the risk of more children being paralyzed,” warned spokesmen of the World Health Organization.

In fact, observed on October 24 was the World Day Against Polio, but the wars between men are unable to make a truce to save the children of the wars against the virus.

The Work of the Doctors of Caritas-Jerusalem

Elizabeth Funnell, CAFOD’s spokeswoman in the Middle East, explained that “the emergency medical teams of Caritas-Jerusalem did incredible work to help vaccinate the childen with the first dose and have been fundamental when it came to offering essential health care in the midst of the conflict.”

“During the first phase, over 500,000 children were vaccinated against polio and our religious associates were working to administer the second round, primarily in the Deir al Balah area.  The majority of the team were displaced and had to leave everything behind, but their dedication to the work was unbreakable,” she specified.

Ahmad Daya, of Gaza’s Caritas-Jerusalem team, said through CAFOD: “Thank God we work in Caritas, which enables us to help people in the most difficult conditions. This organization helps us to make our voice heard, which brightens the days. We hope the war, the suffering and the displacement will end, to be able to return to our homes, neighbourhoods, streets and everything we knew.”

Joint Request From British NGOs

In October CAFOD joined 14 other British charitable organizations in a Humanitarian Appeal for the Middle East, for the purpose of raising vital funds for those suffering in the whole region. From Gaza, its interlocutors explained: “Every day there are people murdered, burnt or die of hunger. We want to see a small light of hope but there isn’t any. More than a year has passed and [the situation] is worsening. We continue to experience the same trauma day after day. Last year we lived of canned food for a time. Today we live of canned food permanently. We are all sick, but we must keep going.”

CAFOD, with data of the United Nations, calculates that Gaza is on the edge of famine. 86% of the population  (1.84 million people) suffer grave food insecurity.

A good way to help is through Caritas with the Holy Land or donations to the Latin Patriarchate.

The post Caritas-Jerusalem Has 17 Medical Teams in Gaza: Calls for a Truce to Vaccinate Children appeared first on ZENIT - English.