Catholic priest killed in Israeli strike on Christian village in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah fighters reportedly staged counteroffensive
Caroline MolloyA Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest was killed March 9 when an Israeli tank shell struck a home in the Christian-majority village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon amid ongoing clashes with Hezbollah, according to local officials and reports.
Father Pierre al-Rahi, the parish priest of St. George Church, remained in the village with other clergy and residents despite an Israeli evacuation order, The National reported. Since the Feb. 28 onset of the Iran war, Israel has carried out strikes on suspected Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, south Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley.
According to Lebanese Parliament member Samy Gemayel, the Israeli attack came after a Hezbollah fighter entered one of the village’s homes. Gemayel said on X that Fr. al-Rahi went to the house along with local officials after an initial strike injured people inside. The home was then shelled again, leaving the priest critically wounded. He later died from injuries, according to AsiaNews.
Avichay Adraee, an Arabic-language spokesman for the Israeli army, told The National that Israel had “neutralised a cell affiliated with Hezbollah entering a site located in a Christian village in southern Lebanon.”
