Lebanon: Appeal for help as historic city at 'grave and critical moment'

Archbishop George prays with parishioners © ACN

Source: ACN

A Christian leader in Lebanon has appealed to the international community to do whatever it can to protect innocent civilians from the war devasting the country.

Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Iskandar of Tyre, in southern Lebanon, has released a statement calling for everyone who can intervene in the war between Israel and Hezbollah, to do so.

He said: "I urgently appeal to all ecclesial, humanitarian, diplomatic, political, and international authorities, as well as to all people of goodwill, to do everything possible to prevent any military action, attack, or destruction affecting the Old Quarter of Tyre and its civilian population. Any assault on this historic quarter would place innocent lives at immediate risk and could lead to widespread destruction, further displacement, and an irreparable wound to the historic Christian presence and to the human fabric of Southern Lebanon."

The archbishop added it was a "grave and critical moment" for the city of Tyre, which has been enriched by apostolic Christian heritage dating back to the earliest centuries of the Church.

Tuesday's (9th June) airstrikes on Tyre killed at least eight people.

Shortly afterwards Israel Defense Forces issued a forced evacuation warning for the city's Christian quarter on X (Twitter), claiming Hezbollah had "terror infrastructure in the area".

Archbishop Iskandar said: "The security situation affecting our region has become increasingly fragile, and the residents of the Old Quarter of Tyre, which includes the historic Christian quarter of the city, are living under growing fear for their lives, their homes, their churches, their heritage, and their future…

"Its Old Quarter is not merely a historic area - it is a living place of faith, memory, family life, coexistence, and continuous Christian witness.

"It is home to civilians, elderly people, children, and families who have remained attached to their ancestral land despite immense suffering, uncertainty, and danger."

The archbishop appealed to "all ecclesial, humanitarian, diplomatic, political and international authorities, as well as to all people of goodwill, to do everything possible to prevent any military action, attack, or destruction affecting the Old Quarter and its civilian population".

He said that they sought "no special privilege and no political favour" adding: "We appeal only for the protection of innocent civilians, the defence of human dignity, and the safeguarding of a historic quarter where Christians and others have lived for generations, and where the Christian witness has remained alive since apostolic times.

"The people of Tyre ask to live in safety, dignity and peace on their ancestral land.

"They look with hope to all those who can help ensure that civilians are protected, homes are spared, churches are preserved, and the historic identity of the city is not lost to violence and destruction."

ACN has helped the community in Tyre for many years and joined the archbishop's appeal. ACN (International) president Regina Lynch said the charity also calls on all those with responsibility and influence to do everything possible to prevent further suffering, displacement and destruction.

She added: "We urge all parties to respect human dignity, safeguard non-combatants, and protect religious sites and historic communities."

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