Maronite priest killed by Israeli tank fire in southern Lebanon

A Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest was killed after Israeli tank fire struck a home in the southern Lebanese village of Al-Qlayaa near the border with Israel. Father Pierre al-Rai died from wounds sustained during the shelling, according to local officials and medical sources.

Reports said an Israeli tank fired two artillery shells at a house on the outskirts of the village. The first strike wounded the homeowners, and residents rushed to the scene to help the injured. During the response, a second shell hit the same location, injuring Father al-Rai and several other people.

Father al-Rai was transported to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. At least three other civilians were also wounded in the incident. The reason the house was targeted was not immediately clear, according to local officials.

Days before the attack, the priest had publicly spoken about remaining in his hometown despite growing tensions in southern Lebanon. During a gathering with residents in the nearby town of Marjayoun, he said villagers intended to stay in their homes despite evacuation warnings linked to the ongoing conflict in the region.

Residents in the Christian-majority village had previously said they did not want to abandon their homes even as fighting intensified between Israel and Hezbollah along the border. The incident has added to fears among civilians as the conflict continues to spread across southern Lebanon.