"The situation at present in Lebanon is very difficult, if not critical. It is not possible to make assumptions about what may happen in the future, but we know that the prospects are bleak" said Fr Michel Abboud, president of Caritas Lebanon, speaking to AsiaNews.

The humanitarian organisation is working tirelessly to support thousands of displaced people seeking refuge in its shelters.

The bombing, targeting primarily Hezbollah positions, follows reports that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah was killed in an airstrike.

The Israeli Defence Forces claim that Nasrallah, along with other senior Hezbollah leaders, was "eliminated" in a strike authorised by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after making a speech at the UN.

Fr Abboud noted the widespread panic in Beirut where Israeli airstrikes have continued throughout the night. "People have poured into the streets not knowing where to go, without a shelter to hide in" he said.

Humanitarian toll mounting

Caritas Lebanon has received increasing calls from people seeking shelter at its centres. The organisation, already strained by the current crisis, is struggling to meet the growing demands.

"We have started working for this, as the situation is really complicated" Fr Abboud said. "Caritas staff are already on the ground, organising aid activities, working with the government and humanitarian associations... but it's not easy!"

The humanitarian toll is mounting, with at least 3,000 people killed or wounded in southern Lebanon. Fr Abboud estimates that over 70,000 people have fled their homes.

Caritas is coordinating with international organisations including the World Food Programme to provide aid. "We are working with major donors and the international community to prepare aid and cope with the emergency, but the needs are huge" Fr Abboud said.

Despite these efforts, the organisation is overwhelmed and Fr Abboud is appealing for further international support to continue its mission.

Sources

Asia News

Detroit Catholic

CathNews New Zealand

The nuns and their 60 guests, most of whom are disabled and handicapped, are trapped in the facility without food, water, medicine, electricity or gas, according to Sr Chiara.

The "whole area" where the nuns' facility is located "is surrounded by the Israeli army" said Fr Francis Xavier Rayappangari.

"Communications with the outside world have been cut off" said Fr Rayappangari, Commissary of the Holy Land in India.

"Sometimes, some generous and courageous people bring something to eat. Whatever they receive from outside, the sisters serve their guests first. If there is anything left, they eat that. Sometimes they only have one meal a day."

The convent of the Sisters of Mother Teresa and the Holy Family parish are near the al-Shifa hospital. The hospital has been under siege by Israeli forces for days.

Local sources report that the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) gave the nuns an opportunity to be evacuated, but not the disabled and the remaining staff.

The nuns declined to leave.

Hamas deny building tunnels

The IDF are hunting for Hamas members and weapons in the underground tunnels. The hunt has worsened the humanitarian crisis, with doctors and patients under attack, including children.

The intense combat in the area has affected not only the nearby Holy Family Catholic Church, the lone Catholic parish in Gaza, but also the small Missionaries of Charity convent.

Rayappangari also said witnessing the horrors of war has become a daily occurrence not only at the convent but also at the nearby parish, where an estimated 700 people have sought refuge from the shelling and combat.

"One lady wanted to go home in order to take a bath" Fr Rayappangari said, recounting a story he heard from the sisters. "As she stepped out of the campus, she was shot and died bleeding.

"May the Prince of Peace give peace to this land" he said.

Sources

Asia News

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