ALBAWABA - Lebanese Maronite priest Pierre al-Rai was killed in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon after he refused orders to evacuate the area.
The mayor of Qlaiaa in the Marjeyoun district, Hanna Daher, reported the death of the town's parish priest, Father Pierre al-Rai, as a result of Israeli shelling that targeted the town, and the wounding of several residents.
A house in Qlaiaa was struck twice by artillery fire from an Israeli Merkava tank, injuring the homeowner, Clovis Boutros, and his wife. They were transported to Marjeyoun Governmental Hospital by Lebanese Red Cross and Civil Defense teams.
In the second attack, the parish priest, Father Pierre al-Rai, was wounded, along with Elias Boulos, Paul Fares, and Lilian al-Sayed. Red Cross teams transported the injured for treatment. The attack caused damage to the targeted house and its surroundings, but the priest succumbed to his injuries shortly afterwards.
On the other hand, the Israeli army released a video reportedly showing armed Hezbollah terrorists entering and attempting to exploit a site in a Christian village in southern Lebanon.
The IDF wrote, "Following the identification, IDF troops directed an Israeli Air Force fighter jet, which struck and eliminated the 'terrorist cell'."
On Friday, the Lebanese priest participated in a demonstration organized by residents of the neighboring town of Marjeyoun, where they affirmed their determination to remain in their region despite the evacuation orders issued by the Israeli army to the inhabitants of the area south of the Litani River.
In a speech he delivered that day, Father Pierre al-Rai said: "When we defend our land, we do so peacefully, carrying only the weapons of peace, goodness, love, and prayer."
