Vatican criticized Israel's army for attacking Christian holy sites in Lebanon

Massive destruction of religious and educational sites has been recorded in South Lebanon as fighting continues. Last Friday, the Israeli army destroyed a convent and a former school belonging to the Salvatorian Sisters. The incident was part of a disturbing trend of destruction of civilian infrastructure in the region. This was reported by the Vatican News portal.

The security situation in the southern part of the country remains critical. During 2024, the Melkite churches in Yaroun and Derdgaya, which are officially listed as Lebanon’s cultural heritage sites, were destroyed. Caught in the middle of the conflict between Hezbollah and the Israeli army, Christian settlements such as Kawza and Alma al-Shaab were almost completely destroyed and abandoned by their residents. Many locals see these actions as a deliberate attempt to deny civilians the opportunity to return to their homes.

The Melkite Greek Catholic Bishops’ Council of Lebanon issued an official warning, stating that «churches, schools and homes are not just stones; the attack on these places is a blow to human dignity itself.» The clergy called on the Lebanese government, the United Nations and the entire international community to ensure the protection of civilians, their property and religious institutions to prevent these historic villages from being «silently condemned to oblivion.»