DID Press: A Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest, Pierre Al-Rahi, was killed after Israeli tank fire struck the village of Qlayaa in southern Lebanon.
According to OSV News, the priest was targeted after reportedly refusing an order from Israel’s forces to leave the village of Qlayaa in the Marjayoun District, located near the Israeli border.
Father Al-Rahi served as the priest of the local Maronite Catholic church in the predominantly Christian village. Qlayaa was said to have had a population of around 8,000 residents before the start of Israeli attacks.
Meanwhile, Jean Younes, Secretary-General of the Assembly of Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops of Lebanon, told OSV News that the priest originally came from the village of Dibeh but had been serving as the parish priest in Qlayaa.
“Unfortunately, he passed away. May God rest his soul,” Younes said.