More than 100 dead and 400 wounded in the massive Israeli attack in the south of the country. Sources There are reports of an exodus of civilians, who are being housed in schools and public buildings. Israel’s patriarchal vicar said that the missiles had even reached as close as Nazareth and that “it is likely” that the whole of Galilee will now become a target for Hezbollah attack. “If the leaders do not stop, the effects will be terrible.” Christians are the weak link between war, the lack of pilgrims and violence within Arab society itself.
Nazareth () – A real war has begun today, which is beginning to include “southern Lebanon,” a country where at least a hundred people have died today alone and “the situation is becoming more and more serious; people are very worried,” because for a year there has been an escalation of the conflict “that seems to have no end,” he told . Msgr. Rafic Nahra, auxiliary bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, of Lebanese origin, who has been patriarchal vicar for Israel since 2021. Those who “pay the consequences – he explains – are ordinary people on all sides, from Gaza to the families of the hostages and even the soldiers”. Many of them, explains the prelate, “are students or parents. And now Lebanon, a country that is already suffering greatly. But this is the horizon, and it is a cause for deep concern.”
A massive Israeli army attack on Lebanon is underway at this time, and Defense sources report that at least 300 Hezbollah targets have been hit across the border, with a hundred casualties and nearly 400 wounded, according to estimates from Beirut. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari did not rule out a ground operation in response to a specific question on the subject. “We will do everything necessary,” he said, “so that the evacuated residents of northern Israel can return to their homes safely.” Former IDF General Staff Commander Gershon Hacohen also raises the possibility of a conflict on the ground, and considers it “very likely that the Israel Defense Forces will have to enter Lebanon by land.”
On the other hand, Lebanese interim Prime Minister Najib Mikati, quoted by the newspaper An-Nahardefines the “Israeli aggression” against the country as a “war of extermination and a plan aimed at destroying Lebanese villages and cities.” The head of government calls on “the United Nations, the United Nations General Assembly and the influential countries” […] to discourage (Israeli) aggression,” while in the south, sources of They speak of a mass exodus of civilians, housed in schools and public buildings in a context of explosive tensions and enormous needs.
The pro-Iranian Shiite movement announced the bombing of three targets in northern Israel, claiming it was a “response” to the intense attacks launched by the Jewish state’s army. In these very hours there is much talk about a report by the Israeli state channel Khan according to which Israel is verifying the news of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in the recent IDF attacks in Gaza.
The extent of the conflict even within Israel is confirmed by the explosions that occurred in recent days near Haifa and Nazareth, a city that has been grazed by missiles for the first time since 2006 and is also at risk of being subjected to heavy attacks in the coming weeks. “For now, only the missiles can be heard,” confirms Mgr. Nahra, “and last night a fragment fell nearby. Now it is likely that the whole of Galilee will be attacked by the Lebanese Hezbollah, in response to the Israeli army… it is clear to everyone that we are already facing a declared war.”
Gaza, the West Bank, and now Lebanon, but it is not excluded that other Shiite militias in the region will join in, and groups in Iraq are already prepared to intervene – as happened over the weekend – in the same way that the Houthis have been following for months in Yemen, in an increasingly regional conflict. “It is clear that this war – continues the prelate – affects various levels, such as material damage and relations between people, and feeds an atmosphere of mistrust and fear. All this must stop, otherwise the social effects will be terrible.”
“We hope that a solution can be found,” says the patriarchal vicar, “and that the violence will end. This is a task that falls to the same leaders” who in recent months have fanned the flames of conflict and tension. “But they must make a decision in this regard,” adds the prelate, “and let us pray to God (which is not a cliché) that this may happen.”
Especially since those who pay the price are precisely the Christians, who have often been considered the weak link in the chain that has subjected the Middle East to a permanent conflict. “Not only because of the war and the lack of pilgrims,” explains Mgr. Nahra, “but also because of the internal violence within Arab society.” [israelí]”The violence is growing amidst general silence and forcing people to flee. At least 175 people have been killed since January this year alone, not for ethnic or religious reasons, not because of a clash between Christians and Muslims, but because of criminality.”
The dramatic anniversary of the 7 October Hamas terrorist attack in southern Israel is just a few days away, triggering the conflict in Gaza and fanning the flames of conflict and arms in many parts of the region. “Everything must be rebuilt, in Israel and Palestine, and we will never be the same as before, although it is difficult to imagine what will happen in the future. There is a great deal of radicalisation,” he concludes, “and that is why it is even more urgent to collaborate between people of good will, to rebuild trust, for everyone to commit themselves, for Christians, Jews and Muslims to work together. But as long as there is violence, these are just words… there must be a truce!”
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