Pharmacists in the capital "advise" customers not to get sick or to take preventive steps like during the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing masks and keeping distances. Western sanctions and critical issues in domestic production are emptying the shelves. For the Minister of Health, there are no emergencies but he scraps special tariffs in foreign currencies.

The Palestinian Catholic leader calls the ceasefire agreed upon after tensions in the Israeli government and with Hamas a "good development". For him, children cannot be “killed because of the (alleged) crime of the father or the mother.” Rehauling the Palestinian system of government will be a challenge, one that will not see Hamas play any leading role.

Gaza’s Holy Family parish priest thanks “God for this truce”, calling “on him to ensure that the commitments are respected”. Meanwhile, everyone is waiting to see the details of the deal that would allow the wounded in need of treatment to leave and let hundreds of thousands of people to return to northern Gaza. The Catholic bishops of the Holy land urge political leaders and the international community “to develop a clear and just political vision” for a “true and lasting peace.”

Enthusiasm in the Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon over the ceasefire agreement in the Strip between Israel and Hamas. Nawaf Salam, former president of the International Criminal Court, elected new prime minister. Macron expected in Beirut. The Maronite Church applauds Lebanon's adoption of the principle of ‘positive neutrality’ in foreign policy. President Aoun's first trip abroad to Saudi Arabia.

Bishop Berardi spoke to AsiaNews about various topics, from politics and the Jubilee and the Church and the societies of the Gulf. The rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Syria (and Assad’s ouster) and the presidential election in Lebanon are a sign of Saudi strength and Iranian weakness. “Ambiguities" surround Palestinian "martyrs". Christians are witnesses of hope, contributing to the development of local societies.

Israel and Hamas are ready to sign a ceasefire and release some hostages, but the end of the war remains far away. Yonatan Zeigen, son of an Israeli pacifist killed on 7 October, speaks to AsiaNews about the question of “power and interests" behind the agreement, starting with the new US administration. The historical precedent between Israel and Egypt is an example of how to overcome the conflict with the Palestinians.