First call with Palestinian President: Pope urges protection of civilians
On Monday, Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, stressing the urgent need to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian standards, according to the Vatican.
During the conversation, the Pope underscored the obligation to preserve sacred sites, prevent indiscriminate violence, and reject the forced displacement of Palestinians.
The Vatican said the "Holy Father" also voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis and called for swift, unhindered access to aid for those most at risk.
In a symbolic note, he recalled the tenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement between the "Holy See" and the State of Palestine—signed in 2015 and in force since 2016—reaffirming the Vatican's commitment to a just peace.
This latest appeal follows Pope Leo's recent call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 20, during which he urged an immediate ceasefire and condemned the war's 'barbarism,' calling for a peaceful resolution.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Shafaq News
39 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
US-Iraq raid: Top ISIS commander killed in Syria
Shafaq News In a high-stakes operation deep inside Syrian territory, US-led coalition forces, acting on intelligence from Iraqi counter-terrorism units, killed one of the Islamic State's most senior figures—Diaa Zoba' Mislah al-Hardan, known by his nom de guerre 'Abu Abdullah al-Ansari'—in a precision raid in the city of al-Bab, Aleppo province, early on July 25. According to multiple Iraqi and coalition sources, including an official statement by the US Central Command (CENTCOM), the operation targeted a residential compound where al-Hardan and his family had been hiding. Two of his sons—identified as Abdullah and Abdulrahman—were also killed in the assault, which involved an airborne insertion and heavy drone surveillance. No civilian or coalition casualties were reported. CENTCOM Forces Kill Senior ISIS Leader in Al Bab, SyriaEarly this morning in al Bab, Aleppo Governate, Syria, CENTCOM Forces conducted a raid resulting in the death of senior ISIS Leader, Dhiya' Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, and his two adult ISIS-affiliated sons, Abdallah Dhiya… — U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) July 25, 2025 The raid marks one of the most significant blows to ISIS's operational leadership. Iraqi intelligence services had identified al-Hardan as a top-tier commander and a strategic coordinator for ISIS activities along the Iraq-Syria border. Deep Intelligence Network Behind the Operation The Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) confirmed its role in the operation, emphasizing that 'persistent intelligence-gathering and surveillance' by its units directly facilitated the cross-border mission. An arrest warrant for al-Hardan had previously been issued by Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Court. Security sources told Shafaq News that loudspeakers were used to call for the suspects to surrender before the assault, suggesting that capturing al-Hardan alive was the initial objective. بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم (وَاللَّهُ يُؤَيِّدُ بِنَصْرِهِ مَنْ يَشَاءُ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِأُولِي الْأَبْصَارِ) صدق الله العلي العظيم =========بمعلومات استخبارية من جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب.... مقتل مايسمى والي (ولاية الخير والبركة) في عصابات داعش الإرهابية 00000000 — جهاز مكافحة الإرهاب (@iraqicts) July 25, 2025 Who Was Abu Abdullah al-Ansari? Al-Hardan was born in Iraq's Al-Anbar province in 1975 and began his militant career with al-Qaeda before joining ISIS at its inception in 2013. Over the years, he rose through the group's ranks, becoming wali (governor) of ISIS's self-declared 'Wilayat al-Furat' (Euphrates Province) and a key member of its so-called 'delegated committee.' At the time of his death, he reportedly held the position of wali of 'Wilayat al-Khayr wal-Baraka,' ISIS's nomenclature for eastern Syria. Intelligence sources confirmed that al-Hardan was responsible for coordinating cross-border operations, recruitment, smuggling networks, and financial flows between Iraq and Syria. He is believed to have operated a secure communications and logistics channel linking remnant ISIS cells on both sides of the border. Two of his sons, killed alongside him, are said to have occupied key security roles within his inner circle. Social media accounts affiliated with ISIS circulated what they claimed to be an internal document from the group's "Judicial Committee" confirming al-Hardan's death. While the document's authenticity could not be independently verified, its contents matched the details provided by both CENTCOM and Iraqi authorities. Strategic Implications Security analyst Abbas al-Bayati told Shafaq News that the elimination of al-Hardan is not just a tactical win, but a strategic intelligence breakthrough. 'He wasn't merely a battlefield commander,' al-Bayati said. 'He functioned as a coordinator for ISIS's transnational logistics—money, fighters, weapons. His removal disrupts an already fragmented network.' Nonetheless, the analyst warned that the ideological and operational threat posed by ISIS persists. 'Leadership decapitation affects functionality, not ideology,' he said. 'New figures will emerge unless governance and border security are reinforced.' The Broader Threat Landscape Despite the operation's success, regional officials and counter-terrorism experts caution against complacency. ISIS, though territorially defeated, remains active in ungoverned areas of Syria and Iraq. 'The killing of a high-ranking commander like al-Hardan delivers a critical blow to ISIS's structure,' a military source said. 'But it does not end the fight.'
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Beijing pushes for global AI governance
Shafaq News – Shanghai On Saturday, China's Premier Li Qiang proposed creating a global organization for artificial intelligence cooperation, urging nations to coordinate efforts on development and safety. Speaking at the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai, Li described AI as a new engine for growth but warned that global governance remains fragmented. He called for stronger international coordination to establish a broadly accepted global framework for AI. The three-day event gathers tech leaders and policymakers amid growing tech rivalry between China and the United States, with AI emerging as a key battleground. 'At present, global AI governance is fragmented,' Li said. 'There are significant differences between countries, particularly in regulatory concepts and institutional rules.' 'We must accelerate efforts to build a global AI governance framework that reflects broad consensus,' he added. The United States has imposed export restrictions on advanced technology to China, including high-end AI chips from companies like Nvidia, citing national security concerns over possible military applications. Despite those restrictions, China continues to make advances in AI, drawing increased scrutiny from US officials. While Li did not name the United States, he warned that AI could become an 'exclusive tool' controlled by a few countries and corporations. He also highlighted supply shortages in AI chips and restrictions on talent exchange as major challenges. Li stressed that China is willing to share its AI development experience and products with other nations, particularly those in the Global South.
Shafaq News
an hour ago
- Shafaq News
Islamic Day for Women: Iraqi leaders rally to protect women's rights
Shafaq News – Baghdad At the annual event marking the Islamic Day for Combating Violence Against Women, Iraq's top leadership and the UN Mission issued a unified call for action to address violence against women, pledging legislative reforms, institutional support, and societal mobilization. President Abdul Latif Rashid emphasized the growing threat gender-based violence poses to Iraqi society, blaming years of political instability, terrorism, and unchecked social media narratives for eroding the structure of Iraqi families. 'Iraqi women have suffered marginalization under successive regimes,' he said, referencing coercive practices like forced marriage and legal disenfranchisement. He highlighted the recent amendment to Iraq's Personal Status Law (No. 188 of 1959), enacted in January 2025, which grants women the right to choose the religious legal code applied in marriage contracts. Rashid urged the Sunni and Shiite religious endowments to expedite the release of comprehensive codes protecting women's and children's rights and called on parliament to pass the draft law establishing a national authority for women's empowerment. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani reaffirmed the government's strategic response, citing broad reforms and targeted support. 'More than 576,000 women are now covered under Iraq's social protection system, including over 165,000 female-headed households,' he said, adding that more than 50,000 women in the private sector are enrolled in social security. Al-Sudani detailed the launch of multiple national frameworks, including the National Strategy for Women (2023–2030), the updated National Strategy to Combat Violence Against Women and Girls, and Iraq's third National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (2025–2030). He also confirmed the expansion of government-run women's shelters in four provinces, with more underway, and promised to present a formal report to the UN Human Rights Council in November. Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani focused on the trauma inflicted on Yazidi women during ISIS's 2014 offensive. 'What happened was not just a crime against them, it was a conspiracy against Iraq itself,' he said. 'We failed to protect them, and we cannot forgive ourselves until those responsible seek their pardon.' UN Secretary-General's Representative in Iraq, Mohamed El Hassan, echoed calls for decisive action. 'If the family is the foundation of society, then the woman is its strongest pillar,' he stated. He described ongoing patterns of violence and exclusion as 'systemic' and widespread across Islamic societies, urging both Iraqi institutions and international partners to uphold women's rights as a cornerstone of national stability. Ammar al-Hakim, leader of the National Wisdom Movement (Al-Hikma), used the occasion to unveil a grassroots initiative, 'My Family, My Nation,' encouraging Iraqi women to reclaim their roles as anchors of societal cohesion. 'Whether homemakers or professionals, Iraqi women are the backbone of our identity,' al-Hakim said, urging women to find strength through family care, cultural values, and national responsibility. The initiative aims to deliver training, psychological support, and educational outreach to help women balance domestic duties with public life, while promoting open dialogue on family unity and shared responsibilities between spouses. Al-Hakim called on civil society, media, educational institutions, and the state to back the effort. 'Together, we can build a nation rooted in compassion, wisdom, and shared strength—where the role of Iraqi women is not just preserved, but elevated,' he concluded.
