Pierre el-Raï
Pierre el-Raï | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1975 or 1976 |
| Died | (aged 50) Al-Qlayaa, Lebanon |
| Occupation | Maronite priest |
Pierre el-Raï (1975 or 1976 – 9 March 2026) was a Lebanese Maronite priest killed by Israeli tank fire during the 2026 Iran war.[1]
Biography
El-Raï was originally from Debel in the south of Lebanon. He became curate of the Paroisse Saint-Georges in Al-Qlayaa in 2013, his ministry located in the Marjayoun District, just north of the Israeli border.[2] In December 2023, he appeared in the press urging Christian residents of Al-Qlayaa to continue celebrating Christmas in spite of the Hezbollah–Israel conflict.[3] In October 2024, he defended the rights of residents to remain on their own land amidst evacuation orders, citing the village's attempt to avoid any form of armed conflict.[4][5] The following month, he continued to encourage residents to stay home despite the approaching warfare.[6] In early March 2025, he received a delegation from the Kataeb Party, which met with several officials in southern Lebanese villages.[7] On 20 October 2025, he was received at Baabda Palace by President Joseph Aoun, discussing religious issues and the safety of the people of Al-Qlayaa.[8]
Death
On 9 March 2026, el-Raï rushed to a family's house in Al-Qlayaa to render aid, when he himself was fatally struck by a second shelling.[9] His death was denounced by the Lebanese Forces as a casualty of a war "imported into Lebanon and Qlayaa" and "waged by outlaws".[10]
References
- ^ Aquilino, Giada (9 March 2026). "Bombardements au Liban, le père Pierre El Raii tué". Vatican News. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Jova, Pierre (10 March 2026). "Mort du prêtre Pierre el-Raï au Liban : une blessure infligée à tout le pays". La Vie (in French). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "War dampens Christmas spirit in southern Lebanon". Arab News. 2023-12-23. Retrieved 2026-03-20.
- ^ "Dans le sud du Liban bombardé, la grande peur des villages chrétiens". Courrier International (in French). 11 October 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Kahil, Katia (6 October 2024). "À Klayaa, Rmeich et Marjeyoun, un même cri: mourir dignement plutôt que de survivre dans la rue". Ici Beyrouth (in French). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ Kahil, Katia (23 November 2024). "À Deir Mimas, la peur n'a pas tué l'espoir". Ici Beyrouth (in French). Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Au sud, les Kataëb réaffirment leur soutien aux habitants de Marjayoun et Hasbaya". Ici Beyrouth (in French). 3 March 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Aoun reçoit le curé de la paroisse de Saint-Georges de Qlayaa". Ministry of Information (in French). 10 October 2025. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Le curé de la paroisse de Qlayaa, au Liban-Sud, tué par un tir d'artillerie israélien". L'Orient–Le Jour (in French). 9 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.
- ^ "Le pape exprime sa « profonde douleur » pour les victimes au Moyen-Orient, dont le curé de Qlayaa". L'Orient–Le Jour (in French). 10 March 2026. Retrieved 11 March 2026.