This Christmas, war (isn’t) over*

Dear  reader,

This week, the number of Palestinian deaths in the Hamas-Israel conflict breached the 20,000 mark, almost unnoticed. And the last hospital in northern Gaza stopped functioning.

While the higher powers in this world still try to agree on the need to impose a ceasefire, let’s take a moment to mourn for all the victims of humanity’s violence and dark side.

Let’s take a moment, too, to remember that southern Lebanon is indeed at war, and that hundreds of families are going without a cheerful holiday season this year.

And after we do that, let’s celebrate the happy moments we do manage to find with our loved ones. Because if there is one thing that life reminded us this year, it’s that it’s too precious and fragile not to cherish every moment of it.

We wish you, dear readers, happy holidays. May you create beautiful memories surrounded by friends and family.

L’Orient Today.

*In reference to John Lennon’s song, Happy Xmas (War Is Over)

In case you missed them, here are our must-read stories of the week: