Lebanon: Israeli strike kills Maronite priest

Speaking on Friday Fr Pierre said: 'All religions together call only for peace' - Screenshot

Source: Ihab Hassan, AFP

A Maronite parish priest, Father Pierre Al-Rai, was killed and at least five people were injured this afternoon by an Israeli strike on the Christian-majority village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon. Fr Pierre al-Rahi, had stayed in the village, defying an Israeli order to leave, in order to protect his parishioners.

Three days ago, Father Pierre welcomed the Lebanese government's declaration that any military or security activity outside the authority of the state was illegal - referring to the government's move to ban Hezbollah's armed activity.

In a speech delivered on Friday in front of a church, Fr Pierre said the people of his community defend their land peacefully by remaining on their land. "None of us carries weapons," he said. "The only weapons we carry are peace, love, and prayer."

Today a house in the village was hit by Israeli tank, injuring the husband and wife who lived there. When several neighbours, the Red Cross and Fr Pierre rushed to help them, the house was hit a second time, injuring Fr Pierre and four others. AFP report that the priest died soon afterwards.

It is not clear why the Israelis targeted the house. Up to this this the border village has been largely untouched by Israeli forces.

A video of Father Pierre, the parish priest of the village of Al-Qlayaa in southern Lebanon, ringing the bell of his church. https://x.com/IhabHassane/status/2031072179639464065

Fr Pierre speaking at Friday's gathering: https://x.com/IhabHassane/status/2031049061185257811