QLAYAA, Lebanon — The bells of St. Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church rang out Wednesday, their sound a somber counterpoint to the drone of an Israeli aircraft overhead, as the village of Qlayaa mourned Father Pierre al-Rahi. The priest, a pillar of this predominantly Christian community in southern Lebanon, was killed Monday after his village was struck by Israeli tank fire. His death has brought the escalating conflict between Israel and Hezbollah – and the wider war in the region – directly to the doorstep of a community that had, until now, largely avoided direct involvement.
Father al-Rahi, known for his steadfast commitment to his parishioners, had publicly declared that the people of Qlayaa would remain in their homes despite evacuation orders issued by Israel. “He gave us strength to stay rooted here. He kept repeating, ‘We’re staying,’” said Eveline Farah, a 67-year-old resident. That resolve led him to rush to the aid of an elderly couple wounded when their home was hit by a shell and it was during this act of compassion that he was fatally wounded.
Father Pierre al-Rahi, also known by his French name Pierre el-Raï, takes part in a Palm Sunday procession in Qlayaa, Lebanon, April 2, 2023. (Catholic Review)
A Village Caught in the Crossfire
The attack that claimed Father al-Rahi’s life has shattered the relative peace Qlayaa had maintained despite the intensifying hostilities. More than a week of escalated conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has brought devastation to communities across Lebanon, with Lebanese government health authorities reporting 634 deaths since March 2, including 47 women and 91 children. Approximately 816,000 people have been displaced, according to the same report.
Qlayaa, with a population of roughly 4,000, has historically remained neutral in the ongoing tensions. Unlike many surrounding towns and villages that are under the de facto control of Hezbollah, Qlayaa – along with other Christian, Sunni Muslim, and Druze communities in southern Lebanon – actively prevented Hezbollah fighters from establishing a presence within their areas, a strategy that had previously shielded them from direct Israeli targeting. This pattern continued after a ceasefire in late 2024, even as Israeli troops maintained a presence in the south and conducted near-daily strikes aimed at disrupting Hezbollah’s regrouping efforts.
Conflicting Accounts of the Attack
The circumstances surrounding Father al-Rahi’s death remain a source of confusion, and anger. The Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichay Adraee, stated that Israeli forces deployed a drone to “kill a Hezbollah terrorist cell in a Christian village in south Lebanon,” but did not specify the location of the strike. Residents, however, maintain that the house targeted belonged to a retired schoolteacher and his wife, who were present at the time of the attack. The Lebanese army confirmed that the attack involved two Merkava tank shells and that there was no Hezbollah presence in the area, as reported by Common Dreams.
“Why hit the first time? OK, why hit again?” questioned Father Antonius Eid-Farah, the vicar of St. George Parish and aide to Father al-Rahi. This sentiment reflects a growing frustration within the community, with many questioning the justification for the attack and expressing concern for their safety.
A Community’s Resolve and Growing Anger
Despite the tragedy, residents of Qlayaa express a firm determination to remain in their homes. “The town’s Christians have confidence in their church,” said Father Eid-Farah. “And, besides, if they left Qlayaa, where would they go? ‘To the streets?’ he asked. ‘How can they provide for their families?’” However, this resolve is coupled with growing anger, not only towards Hezbollah but also towards the Lebanese government for its perceived failure to curb the group’s influence and prevent the escalation of violence.
Residents march towards the municipality hall to show their anger for the death of the town’s priest by an Israeli shell, in the southern Lebanese border town of Qlayaa on March 9, 2026. (Rabih Daher / AFP)
During Father al-Rahi’s funeral, some attendees heckled the head of the Lebanese army when he arrived, demanding greater protection and accountability. Chawline Maroun, a 23-year-old student whose home in a nearby village was destroyed, voiced a common frustration: “When will the Lebanese military actually fight? ‘When the war is over?’”
Fears of Escalation and a Return to the Past
As Israel continues to push deeper into Lebanon, fears are mounting that Qlayaa could suffer the same fate as Alma al-Shaab, a Christian village on the border that was entirely evacuated after a resident was killed. There is concern that plans for a buffer zone could result in Qlayaa falling under Israeli control, mirroring a past period when the village was controlled by the South Lebanon Army, a Christian-led militia armed and funded by Israel during its 18-year occupation of the region.
Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Father al-Rahi on Wednesday, noting that “rahi” means “shepherd” in Arabic and describing him as a “true pastor” who rushed to help wounded parishioners “without hesitation.” He prayed that “the blood he shed be a seed of peace for beloved Lebanon” and expressed his closeness to the Lebanese people during this “grave trial.”
The death of Father Pierre al-Rahi serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of the escalating conflict and the precarious situation facing communities in southern Lebanon. The coming days will be critical in determining whether Qlayaa can maintain its neutrality and avoid further devastation, or whether it will be drawn deeper into the wider regional conflict.
What are your thoughts on the situation in Southern Lebanon? Share your comments below and help spread awareness by sharing this article.
