A humanitarian convoy led by a Vatican official came under fire and was forced to retreat in southern Lebanon, as escalating fighting near the Israeli border disrupts aid efforts.
According to a report by Agence France-Presse, the convoy organized by Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, was heading to Christian villages on Tuesday when it was struck by gunfire.
A security source said the convoy, escorted by French peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon, was en route to the border village of Debl when it “came under fire as it approached border villages,” damaging vehicles but causing no casualties.
The mission was abandoned after several attempts to proceed, when “an unidentified projectile exploded nearby,” the source added.
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that the convoy turned back after waiting more than two hours near the town of Bint Jbeil “due to exchanges of fire and the intensification of fighting.”
The incident comes as clashes between Israel and Hezbollah escalate in southern Lebanon, where border communities, including Christian-majority villages such as Debl, have been caught in the crossfire.
Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the wider conflict on March 2 with rocket fire toward Israel in support of Iran, prompting heavy Israeli strikes and a ground offensive in the south.
Despite evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces, residents in several Christian villages have refused to leave, saying “it is not their war” and that they feel abandoned after the Lebanese army withdrew from border positions.
In Rmeish, local authorities have launched an appeal for aid, seeking donations of medicine and baby formula.
Borgia has organized multiple aid convoys to the area since the conflict began, though a planned visit earlier this week was canceled due to security concerns.
