Israeli tank fire has killed a Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest, Father Pierre al-Rahi, during strikes on the village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon, Catholic news service OSV News has reported.
According to the report, al-Rahi, who was also known as Pierre el-Rai, was killed when Israeli tanks shelled the area amid ongoing hostilities near the Israeli border.
OSV News said the priest had refused an Israeli order to flee Qlayaa, a Christian Maronite village in the Marjayoun district located a few miles from the Israeli border.
The town, which once had a population of about 8,000 residents before Israeli attacks began, has been among communities heavily affected by the escalating violence in southern Lebanon.
Confirming the incident, Lebanese Maronite Father Jean Younes, secretary-general of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon, spoke about the slain priest.
āFather Pierre al-Rahi was from my village, Dibeh, but he was the parish priest of Qlayaa in Marjayoun,ā Younes told OSV News.
He added, āUnfortunately, he passed away. God bless his soul.ā
According to OSV News, Father al-Rahi had chosen to remain in the village despite Israeli evacuation orders, continuing his pastoral duties among residents who had stayed behind.
The priestās death comes amid intensified Israeli military strikes in southern Lebanon, where several towns near the border have experienced shelling and displacement of civilians.
Qlayaa, known as a predominantly Christian Maronite community, had been home to thousands of residents before many fled following the escalation of attacks in the area.
The killing of the priest has drawn attention among Lebanonās Christian community and religious leaders, as the conflict continues to affect civilian populations in border regions.
Pope Leo XIV was quoted by OSV as saying through the Vatican’s Telegram channel that āprofound sorrow for all the victims of the bombings in the Middle East over the last few days ā for the many innocent people, including many children, and for those who were providing them with aid, such as Father Pierre El-Rahi, a Maronite priest killed this afternoon in Qlayaa.”
The message posted by Holy See Press on Telegram said Pope Leo āis following the situation with concern and prays that all hostilities will cease as soon as possible.ā
Further details about the circumstances surrounding the strike were not immediately available.
There have been attacks in Lebanon by Israel after what has been said to be Hezbollah based in Lebanon attack on Israel in solidarity with Iran.
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