Israel-Lebanon conflict update

Pope Benedict sends a personal envoy to Lebanon:

Vatican City, Aug. 11, 2006 (CNA) - The Holy See announced today that Pope Benedict XVI is sending a special personal envoy to Lebanon. The Holy Father has tapped Cardinal Roger Etchegaray, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, to head into the war-torn country.

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The visit, according to the Vatican, is of an “essentially religious nature.” Cardinal Etchegaray will meet with Cardinal Nasrallah Sfeir, Patriarch of the Maronite Catholic Church and visit with members of the Catholic population there. The two cardinals plan, if possible, to concelebrate Mass for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary, in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lebanon, in Harissa.

The press release noted that the cardinal’s prayers for peace will be joined spiritually by a Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth, Israel. The Holy See’s representative to Israel and Palestine, Archbishop Antonio Franco and Archbishop Michel Sabbah, Latin Patriarchy of Jerusalem will concelebrate the Mass.

Meanwhile, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Lebanon are busy:

Baltimore, Aug. 11, 2006 (CNA) - Officials from the Maryland-based Catholic Relief Services announced last week that they, along with their oversees partner Caritas Lebanon, are leading a massive effort to provide aid to the hundreds of thousands of Lebanese displaced or cut off by the ongoing battle between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group.

While many are calling the humanitarian situation in Lebanon dire, CRS stressed that their efforts are continuing to move at full power. The group announced that they have provided aid to over 85,000 so far and hope to be able to help 130,000-140,000 more in the coming weeks and months.

Finally, Israel has expanded its land war in Lebanon once again:

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - World powers said on Friday a deal on a U.N. resolution to end Israel's war with Hizbollah guerrillas was in sight, but Israel ordered its month-old offensive to be expanded in case diplomacy fails.

"We said two days ago that we would stop the fire, either militarily or diplomatically," an Israeli political source said. "We see that the ceasefire deal ... is not making the required progress, and therefore we have authorized the military action."

Israeli tanks forces were preparing for orders to sweep into Lebanon after the wider offensive was approved, Israeli TV said. But Israel said the move did not exclude a diplomatic solution. [More...]