Papal Nuncio tours southern Christian border towns of Marjayoun and Hasbaya

SOUTH LEBANON — The Papal Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, conducted an inspection tour of several Christian towns in the Marjayoun and Hasbaya border districts, stating that “the Church stands alongside the Lebanese during this difficult period,” the state-run National News Agency reported Friday.

Borgia began his tour in the town of Deir Mimas, then proceeded to Qlaya, Jdeidet Marjayoun, Ebel Saqi (all located in Marjayoun) and finally reached Rashaya al-Fokhar and Kawkaba (both located in Hasbaya.)

In the town of Qlaya, Borgia was welcomed, accompanied by the head of the Caritas charity association, Father Samir Ghawy, along with local authorities and religious figures from the surrounding area.

Speeches highlighted “the steadfastness of the region’s residents on their land despite difficult circumstances,” while the head of the municipality of Qlayaa, Hanna Daher, emphasized that “the people of Qlayaa are determined to stay on their land and will not abandon it, no matter how severe the challenges become.”

For his part, Borgia expressed his admiration for the residents’ perseverance, affirming from Qlaya that “the people here show great courage,” and stressing that “the residents of these villages need moral support and a positive spirit to face the current challenges.”

He noted that “this support is not limited to Christians alone but extends to all residents of the region,” affirming “the Church stands alongside the Lebanese during this difficult period.”

On March 12, three residents of Ain Ebel were killed in a drone strike in this other christian village.

On March 9, three Israeli artillery shells struck a house in Qlaya, killing local priest Pierre al-Rai, our regional correspondent reported.

At the time, the Israeli army released a statement claiming a strike on the village targeted Hezbollah fighters. Daher had denied Israeli claims regarding the presence of Hezbollah fighters in the village, denouncing "lies."

In a separate incident on March 8, while watering his plants, another man in his 70s was killed in an Israeli drone strike on Alma al-Shaab, a predominantly Christian village in the South. Due to Israeli threats, the village evacuated its residents earlier this week.