The church of Derdghaya (Sour), damaged by Israeli attacks, on Dec. 23, 2024. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient-Le Jour)
At the edge of the Qlaya (Marjayoun district) town hall, a crowd gathers. Some residents are crying, as others vent their anger.People in this Christian-majority town are used to the sound of Israeli attacks. The war between Hezbollah and Israel since Monday, March 2, 2026, is far from the first."Samidoun," they often say here, "We remain steadfast."But this time, many say a new threshold was crossed when an Israeli strike killed Father Pierre al-Rai. Residents gathered Monday to mourn the priest, who was at his home at the time of the attack. Four other people were wounded.The village remains in shock, especially because many believe the killing was deliberate, because as residents rushed to Rai's home after the attack to help those wounded, Israel launched a second strike minutes later. The war, in images...
At the edge of the Qlaya (Marjayoun district) town hall, a crowd gathers. Some residents are crying, as others vent their anger.People in this Christian-majority town are used to the sound of Israeli attacks. The war between Hezbollah and Israel since Monday, March 2, 2026, is far from the first."Samidoun," they often say here, "We remain steadfast."But this time, many say a new threshold was crossed when an Israeli strike killed Father Pierre al-Rai. Residents gathered Monday to mourn the priest, who was at his home at the time of the attack. Four other people were wounded.The village remains in shock, especially because many believe the killing was deliberate, because as residents rushed to Rai's home after the attack to help those wounded, Israel launched a second strike minutes later. The war, in images...
