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Religious leaders visit Gaza in wake of fatal church bombing
Religious leaders visit Gaza in wake of fatal church bombing

Irish Independent

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • Irish Independent

Religious leaders visit Gaza in wake of fatal church bombing

The strike drew condemnation from Pope Leo and US president Donald Trump, and prompted a statement of regret from Israel, which said it was a mistake. Since ending a ceasefire in March, Israel has regularly launched far deadlier strikes across Gaza against what it says are Hamas militants, frequently killing women and children. Strikes killed 18 people overnight, health officials said yesterday. Pope Leo renewed his call for negotiations to bring an end to the 21-month war in a phone call with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday, the Vatican said. The religious delegation to Gaza included two patriarchs from Jerusalem – Latin patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox patriarch Theophilos III. The rare visit aimed to express the 'shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land', a statement said. Israel has restricted access to Gaza since the start of the war, though church leaders have entered on previous occasions, usually to mark major holidays. Cardinal Pizzaballa, the highest ranking Catholic official in Jerusalem, said in an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera daily that a Catholic presence would remain in Gaza 'whatever happens'. He expressed doubts about Israel's comments that the strike was a mistake. 'We are not a target. They say it was an error, even if everybody here believes it wasn't,' the cardinal said. The delegation visited the Holy Family Church, whose compound was damaged in the shelling. They were also organising convoys carrying food, medical supplies and other equipment to the territory – which has been pushed to the brink of famine by Israel's war and military offensive – as well as the evacuation of those wounded in the church strike. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Cardinal Pizzaballa's Latin patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement that the religious leaders brought 'hundreds of tonnes of food supplies, as well as first aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment'. The aid is meant not only for Gaza's small Christian community, but for 'as many families as possible', the patriarchate said, adding that it also ensured the evacuation of those injured in the church strike. In his call with Mr Netanyahu, Pope Leo 'expressed again his concern over the dramatic humanitarian situation for the population in Gaza, with children, the elderly and the sick paying the most heartbreaking price', the Vatican said in a statement. An Israeli official who spoke anonymously confirmed that Mr Netanyahu had placed the call, and said that the Vatican's account was accurate. In an earlier statement, the Pope had 'repeated his intentions to do everything possible to stop the useless slaughter of innocent people' and condemned 'the unjustifiable attack' on the church. The Vatican said the Pope had also received an update on the condition of Fr Gabriel Romanelli, the resident priest at the church, who was lightly wounded. The priest had regularly spoken by phone with Pope Francis, who died in April, telling the pontiff about the struggles faced by civilians in Gaza. Mr Netanyahu released a statement Thursday saying Israel 'deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church'. The Israeli military said it was still investigating. Israel has repeatedly struck schools, shelters, hospitals and other civilian buildings, accusing Hamas militants of sheltering inside and blaming them for civilian deaths. Palestinians say nowhere has felt safe since Israel launched its offensive in response to Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack. They are still under the rubble. Until now we are unable to get them out, even in small pieces Israeli strikes killed at least 18 Palestinians overnight and into yesterday. One strike hit a home in the southern city of Khan Younis, killing four members of the same family, according to morgue records at Nasser Hospital. Associated Press footage of the aftermath of the strike showed people digging through the rubble in search of remains. 'They are still under the rubble,' said Belal Abu Sahloul, a relative of those killed. 'Until now we are unable to get them out, even in small pieces.' At the hospital, a mother could be seen holding the hand of her daughter, who had been killed in one of the other strikes and placed in a body bag. Nearly 18,000 Palestinian children have been killed since the start of the war, according to Gaza's health ministry. Israel's military said it was 'operating to dismantle Hamas military capabilities' and that it takes 'feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm'. Nasser Hospital said another three people were killed while heading toward an aid site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli-backed American contractor. A spokesperson for the foundation said there was no violence at its sites overnight and that crowds were 'docile'. Since the group's operations began in late May, hundreds of Palestinians have been killed in shootings by Israeli soldiers while on roads heading to the sites, according to witnesses and health officials. GHF's four sites are all in military-controlled zones. The Israeli military has said its troops have only fired warning shots to control crowds. There was no comment from the military on the latest deaths. Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people – mostly civilians – in the October 7 attack, and abducted 251 people, most of whom have since been released in ceasefire agreements or other deals. Fifty hostages are still being held, less than half of them believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 58,600 Palestinians according to Gaza's health ministry, which has said women and children make up more than half of the dead. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its tally. The ministry is part of the Hamas-run government, but is led by medical professionals. The UN and other international organisations consider its figures to be the most reliable count of war casualties.

Pier Paolo Pasolini's mysterious death continues to haunt Italy, 50 years on
Pier Paolo Pasolini's mysterious death continues to haunt Italy, 50 years on

LeMonde

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • LeMonde

Pier Paolo Pasolini's mysterious death continues to haunt Italy, 50 years on

In the office of Stefano Maccioni, in the south of Rome, Pier Paolo Pasolini is everywhere. The library of the 59-year-old lawyer is stacked with books by the famous Italian writer, poet and filmmaker. On the wall hangs a photograph of the devout Catholic, openly gay and Communist activist, who stood against both consumer society and the right to abortion. On Maccioni's desk, thick binders are filled with press clippings about this unclassifiable figure of 20 th century Italian left-wing politics who, alongside his literary work, never stopped condemning the corruption of political elites, the persistence of fascism and the power of the Mafia in relentless editorials published in the daily newspaper Corriere della Sera, from 1973 until his violent and mysterious death two years later. On the night between November 1 and 2, 1975, the director of Accattone (1961) and Teorema (1968) was found dead, beaten and run over by a car on a grim wasteland in Ostia, a coastal suburb of Rome. He was 53 years old. At the crime scene, the police set up no security perimeter and allowed local onlookers from the working-class neighborhood to crowd around the artist's body, hastily covered with a sheet.

Cardinal brings aid to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church, World News
Cardinal brings aid to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church, World News

AsiaOne

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • AsiaOne

Cardinal brings aid to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church, World News

ROME/JERUSALEM - Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered Gaza on Friday (July 18) to bring aid to victims of Israel's strike on the sole Catholic church in the Palestinian enclave, while he and a Vatican official questioned Israeli explanations for the incident. Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City a day earlier. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade, and shattering windows. The church has sheltered hundreds of Palestinians since the start of Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the enclave in October 2023, following the group's deadly attack on Israel. In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, Pizzaballa said a Catholic presence would remain in Gaza "whatever happens," and he expressed doubts about Israel's explanation that the strike was a mistake. "We are not a target. They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn't," said the cardinal, who is Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, the top Catholic authority in the region. The Vatican's editorial director, Andrea Tornielli, wrote on the Holy See's official news outlet that Israel's references to a mistake and its promises of an investigation "can hardly be reassuring". "Not only because they are contradicted by the images of mosques reduced to rubble and churches attacked (...) but also because, after a year and a half, there are still no results from the investigation into the killing of two Christian women shot by a sniper in the Gaza parish," he said. 'Stray ammunition' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday blamed "stray ammunition" for the church strike and said his country was "investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites." Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday. In the conversation, Leo renewed appeals for an end to the war, called for the protection of civilians and places of worship, and again voiced concern for "the dramatic humanitarian situation" in Gaza, the Vatican said. Netanyahu - who on Thursday was reportedly reprimanded for the church strike by US President Donald Trump - expressed to Leo "Israel's regret for the tragic incident" and "heartfelt condolences" for the families of the victims, his office said. [[nid:720380]] It is extremely rare for foreign officials to be allowed entry into Gaza, as Israel has essentially sealed its borders. Pizzaballa was accompanied by Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem. The two religious leaders brought "hundreds of tons of food supplies as well as first aid kits and urgently needed medical equipment," the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem said in a statement. The aid is meant not only for Gaza's small Christian community but for "as many families as possible", the Patriarchate said, adding it also ensured the evacuation of those injured in the church strike. The pope, who on Thursday said he was "deeply saddened" by the attack but did not blame Israel for it, called the cardinal and Theophilos on Friday to convey support for their mission, Pizzaballa told Vatican media. The pope expressed his love and affection for the Gaza parish community "and reiterated his intention to do everything possible to stop the needless slaughter of innocents," the Vatican said.

Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church kills 3
Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church kills 3

First Post

timea day ago

  • Politics
  • First Post

Christian leaders make rare visit to Gaza after Israeli strike on Catholic church kills 3

Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City a day earlier. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade and shattering windows read more Archbishop Alexios of the Saint Porphyrius Church (C) receives Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa (3rd-R) and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III (4th-L) during their visit to the Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City on July 18, 2025. AFP Clergy members from the Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches have paid a visit to Gaza's only church after Israeli strikes hit the complex, killing three people. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa entered Gaza, a highly unusual move due to Israel's control over the region, with Theophilos III to bring aid to the victims of the airstrike as he and a Vatican official questioned Israeli explanations for the incident. Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and Theophilos III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, expressed 'the shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land and their concern for the community of Gaza.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Three people died and several were injured, including the parish priest, in the strike on the Holy Family Church compound in Gaza City a day earlier. Photos show its roof has been hit close to the main cross, scorching the stone facade and shattering windows. Israel 'regrets' strike on church Meanwhile, Israel has expressed 'regret' over Gaza's only Catholic church. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, 'Israel deeply regrets that a stray ammunition hit Gaza's Holy Family Church. Every innocent life lost is a tragedy.' 'Israel is investigating the incident and remains committed to protecting civilians and holy sites,' the office added in a statement. The church has sheltered hundreds of Palestinians since the start of Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the enclave in October 2023, following the group's deadly attack on Israel. In an interview with Italy's Corriere della Sera daily, Pizzaballa said a Catholic presence would remain in Gaza 'whatever happens,' and he expressed doubts about Israel's explanation that the strike was a mistake. 'We are not a target. They say it was an error. Even if everybody here believes it wasn't,' said the cardinal, who is Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, the top Catholic authority in the region,' he said. Pope Leo speaks to Netanyahu Meanwhile, Netanyahu called Pope Leo on Friday following the country's attack on the Gaza church. The Vatican, in a statement, said, 'During the meeting, the Holy Father renewed his appeals for renewed impetus to negotiations and for a ceasefire and an end to the war. He reiterated his concern for the dramatic humanitarian situation of the population in Gaza, whose excruciating price is being paid especially by children, the elderly, and the sick.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The pope also called for protecting places of worship and the people of Palestine and Israel. With inputs from agencies

Air India Captain Handed Plane's Control to First Officer? Conversation Between Pilots Revealed in 'Black Box Recording' Adding Fuel to Wild Theory
Air India Captain Handed Plane's Control to First Officer? Conversation Between Pilots Revealed in 'Black Box Recording' Adding Fuel to Wild Theory

International Business Times

time2 days ago

  • International Business Times

Air India Captain Handed Plane's Control to First Officer? Conversation Between Pilots Revealed in 'Black Box Recording' Adding Fuel to Wild Theory

The captain of Air India Flight 171, which crashed in Ahmedabad last month claiming 241 lives, handed control of the aircraft to the first officer before takeoff, sources have claimed citing information retrieved from the black boxes. Captain Sumeet Sabharwal told First Officer Clive Kunder, "The plane is in your hands," two Western sources familiar with the cockpit recordings told Corriere della Sera. While the sources noted that it is not uncommon for a first officer to handle takeoff, three pilots consulted by the outlet said this would have allowed the captain to operate "undisturbed." This comes amid a preliminary investigation report that the plane's fuel supply was cut off. Flight Was Under First Officer's Control Captain Sumeet Sabharwal X U.S. pilots who reviewed the newly released preliminary report on the crash believe that Kunder would have been under immense pressure while flying the aircraft at the time. The plane took off at 1:38:39 p.m. and remained in the air for only about 30 seconds before losing engine power and crashing into a residential building, killing 19 people on the ground and all but one passenger onboard. The preliminary report revealed that just before the crash, two fuel control switches were changed from 'Run' to 'Cutoff,' cutting off the engines' fuel supply. There was visible confusion in the cockpit, followed by frantic efforts to switch the controls back. Clive Kunder X According to Corriere della Sera, their sources said Kunder could be heard asking Sabharwal, "Why did you shut off the engines?" Another microphone reportedly captured a vague denial in response: "I didn't do it." The outlet added that Kunder, appearing "unconvinced", repeated the question multiple times within a span of six seconds. A separate source, briefed on the preliminary assessment by U.S. investigators, told Reuters that Kunder specifically questioned Sabharwal about switching the fuel controls to 'Cutoff,' which led to the engines being deprived of fuel. A massive plume of smoke seen billowing from the crash site near the Ahmedabad international airport after teh Air India Flight 171 crashed X Based on the cockpit voice recordings, officials believe the evidence points to the captain as the one who cut off the engines' fuel supply. The report, released by India's Air Accident Investigation Bureau, did not suggest whether the action was intentional or accidental. India's aviation minister has urged the public to avoid speculation, noting that a full report will be issued next year. Speculation Over Captain's Role The report comes after investigators looked into the pilots' health records, with claims that Sabharwal had a history of depression and mental health concerns. Notably, the switches involved had a locking mechanism that required pilots to lift them before moving —accidentally turning the off is impossible, as they were not simple push buttons. The Air India Flight 171 seen after the deadly crash moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad X The investigation into the devastating crash has now turned its focus to Sabharwal's behavior. Captain Mohan Ranganathan, a leading aviation safety expert in India, revealed that multiple Air India pilots had allegedly confirmed that Sabharwal, an experienced pilot, had suffered from poor mental health. The Air India jet seen exploding into a fireball moments after takeoff from Ahmedabad airport X In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Ranganathan stated, "He had taken time off from flying in the last three to four years. He had taken medical leave for that." It is also reported that Sabharwal had been on bereavement leave after his mother's death. However, according to Ranganathan, he had been "medically cleared" by Air India before the deadly crash last month. A former colleague of Sabharwal in Mumbai described him as a "thorough gentleman" and shared with the publication that Sabharwal had been thinking about taking early retirement within the next couple of years to care for his 90-year-old father. Sumeet Sabharwal X Meanwhile, co-pilot Clive Kunder, aged 28, had logged over 3,400 flying hours during his relatively brief career. The Telegraph reported that while Air India declined to issue an official statement, a representative from its parent company, Tata Group, told the outlet that Sabharwal had not taken any medical leave. The preliminary investigation report also failed to uncover any major findings. Officials said that both pilots had successfully passed the Class I medical examination within the past two years, a test that assesses their mental and physical fitness. Sumeet Sabharwal X According to the report, both pilots had received sufficient rest prior to the flight and passed the breath analyzer test, confirming they were 'fit to operate.' The aircraft was not carrying any hazardous materials, and its weight was within the permissible range. Fuel samples taken from the aircraft's tanks were tested and found to be of acceptable quality, and there was no notable bird activity detected along the flight path.

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