A Maronite parish in southern Lebanon lost its priest Monday after Israeli tank fire struck a house in the Christian border town of Qlayaa, killing Father Pierre al-Rai.
Rai died from wounds sustained in the shelling, according to Lebanon’s state media and a medical source cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP).
Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that the house was “hit twice in succession by artillery shelling from a hostile Merkava tank.”
The first strike wounded the homeowner and his wife. Neighbors, including Rai, and Red Cross paramedics rushed to help the injured. A second shell struck the house shortly afterward, wounding the priest and three others. Rai later died of his injuries.
It was not immediately clear why Israeli forces targeted the house, located on the outskirts of the town.
Qlayaa, a Christian village of about 8,000 residents in the Marjeyoun district near the Israeli border, had not previously been caught up in the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.
The town’s mayor, Hanna Daher, urged Lebanese authorities to prevent armed activity in the area.
He called on the Lebanese army and state to “prevent any armed manifestations inside the town or in its vicinity, and to pursue anyone who carries weapons outside the framework of legitimate institutions.”
The people of Qlayaa, he said, “refuse to allow their town to be turned into an arena for any armed activity that might endanger civilians.”
On Friday, Rai joined residents at a gathering in the nearby town of Marjayoun where locals said they would remain in their homes despite evacuation warnings issued by the Israeli army to residents south of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers from the border.
“When we defend our land, we defend it peacefully, and we carry only the weapons of peace, goodness, love and prayer,” Rai said.
“We are compelled to remain in danger because these are our homes and we will not leave them.”
Residents of Christian towns along or near the border have tried to stay out of the confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel.
The pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need said Rai served in the Maronite Diocese of Tyre and worked with the organization in supporting pastoral activities in Qlayaa parish, which serves about 3,000 parishioners.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed “deep sorrow” for victims of the recent violence in the Middle East, including the Lebanese priest.
“Pope Leo XIV expresses his deep sorrow for all the victims of the recent bombings in the Middle East, for the many innocent people, including many children,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.
The pope also cited “those who were helping them,” naming Father Pierre al-Rai of Al-Qlayaa. Bruni said the pontiff “is following events with concern and prays for an end to hostilities as soon as possible.”
