Lebanese Catholic bishops condemn alleged Israeli demolition of a convent in southern Lebanon, raising concerns over civilian protection.
Newsroom (05/05/2026 Gaudium Press) Lebanese Catholic leaders on Monday voiced strong concern over reports that Israeli forces demolished civilian and religious structures in southern Lebanon, including an alleged bulldozing of a Melkite convent in the border village of Yaroun.
The Council of Melkite Greek Catholic Bishops in Lebanon called on both the Lebanese government and the United Nations to safeguard civilian property and religious institutions in areas under Israeli control. In a statement, the bishops described the destruction of buildings—reportedly carried out after residents had evacuated—as a “deep wound in the national and human conscience.”
The concerns stem from Israel’s recent military operations in southern Lebanon, where it took control of border regions during its latest war with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah. A ceasefire came into effect on April 17, though Israeli forces have continued operations aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli authorities have urged residents to leave affected areas for safety.
The Israeli military has denied deliberately targeting religious sites. In a statement issued Saturday, it said forces operating in Yaroun had damaged a structure believed to lack religious markings while dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure. It added that troops halted further damage once the building was identified as linked to a church. The military also released photographs showing an intact building at the site, claiming it was part of a compound previously used by Hezbollah militants to launch rockets into Israel.
However, local accounts dispute this version. Adib Ajaka, a Christian community leader in Yaroun, told The Associated Press that the images released by Israel depict a neighboring building housing a clinic and archbishopric, not the convent itself. He provided a photograph showing rubble adjacent to that structure, which he said were the remains of the demolished convent.
Additional testimonies from a municipal official—who spoke anonymously—and Gladys Sabbagh, superior general of the Basilian Salvatorian Sisters who had used the convent, supported claims that the religious building was bulldozed while the village was evacuated.
The Israeli military did not immediately respond to follow-up questions about the alleged destruction of the convent.
International reactions have also emerged. The French Catholic charity L’Oeuvre d’Orient condemned what it described as a “deliberate act of destruction of a place of worship” and accused Israeli forces of systematically destroying homes to prevent displaced civilians from returning.
The developments come amid broader political tensions. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said Monday that a potential meeting in Washington between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should not be interpreted as a concession by Lebanon. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had previously indicated he would host such talks, though no date has been confirmed and Lebanese officials have not formally committed.
Domestically, Aoun faces criticism from Hezbollah and allied factions that oppose direct negotiations with Israel.
The latest escalation began on March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets into northern Israel, shortly after the United States and Israel initiated military action against Iran. Israel responded with extensive airstrikes and a ground offensive, capturing multiple towns along the Lebanese-Israel border.
According to Lebanon’s Health Ministry, the conflict has resulted in 2,696 deaths and 8,264 injuries. A ceasefire initially declared for 10 days on April 17 has since been extended by three weeks, though tensions and disputes over actions on the ground persist.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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