Christina Vital, a sociology professor at Rio's Fluminense Federal University, says Rio's poor communities have long been living "under siege" from criminal gangs, and this is now affecting their freedom of religion.

They somehow survived the agonising two-year-long siege of the old quarter where Syrian troops enforced their first "surrender or starve" cordon in this merciless war.

Medics said several more people were killed at another school-turned-shelter in the northern town of Beit Hanoun, which the UN said has been under siege by Israeli forces for more than two months.

When the hospitals were under siege, victims were brought to the medical point for first aid.

The lessons of history are clear: democracy, justice and peace are threatened whenever groups in power feel that their honor and pride are under siege.