A Catholic charity, L'Oeuvre d'Orient, has condemned Israel after its forces reportedly destroyed a convent in southern Lebanon, with the organization accusing Israel of deliberately targeting places of worship and homes. Images circulating in April showed an Israeli soldier using a jackhammer to damage a statue of Jesus on a cross in southern Lebanon. L'Oeuvre d'Orient stated, "L'Oeuvre d'Orient strongly condemns this deliberate act of destruction against a place of worship, as well as the systematic demolition of homes in southern Lebanon aimed at preventing the return of civilian populations." The charity also noted that other Christian sanctuaries, including the Melkite churches in Yaroun and Derdghaya, both classified as Lebanese heritage sites, were destroyed during the 2024 conflict. This occurred despite a ceasefire announced on April 17, intended to halt over six weeks of Israel's war on Lebanon. Lebanon’s National News Agency reported that Israeli forces killed at least 2,659 people and wounded 8,183 between March 2 and May 2.
Convent Destruction and Charity's Accusations
The destroyed convent belonged to the Salvatorian Sisters, a Greek Catholic religious order, located in the village of Yaroun. L'Oeuvre d'Orient stated the attack was "a deliberate act of destruction against a place of worship, as well as the systematic demolition of homes in southern Lebanon aimed at preventing the return of civilian populations." The convent included a school that had been closed since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war and a clinic, which was recently moved to the nearby village of Rmeich. Only two nuns resided at the convent, having left due to the conflict. The Catholic Church in Lebanon rejected claims that the compound was used for military purposes.
Israel’s military stated its forces damaged a "religious building" in Yaroun during operations targeting infrastructure in the area. The Israeli military further claimed that while destroying Hezbollah infrastructure in Yaroun, a house with no religious signs was initially damaged. They asserted that once they realized the building was linked to a church, soldiers prevented any further damage. According to the Israeli military, Hezbollah had used the compound in the past to fire rockets toward Israel on several occasions. L'Oeuvre d'Orient also noted that "Christian sanctuaries were also destroyed during the war in 2024, such as the Melkite churches in the villages of Yaroun and Derdghaya, both classified as part of Lebanon's heritage." The latest war between Israel and Hezbollah began on March 2. Separately, an airstrike hit a home in Lwaizeh, killing three people.
Broader Pattern of Attacks on Christians
L'Oeuvre d'Orient noted that Christian sanctuaries were also destroyed during the war in 2024, citing the Melkite churches in the villages of Yaroun and Derdghaya, both classified as part of Lebanon's heritage. In occupied East Jerusalem, a nun was assaulted near the Cenacle on Mount Zion earlier this week. Last month, Israeli police blocked the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and other clergy from holding Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
A report by the Rossing Centre for Education and Dialogue documented a sharp increase in attacks on Christians, describing a "continued and expanding pattern of intimidation and aggression." The Rossing Centre's report recorded 155 incidents in 2025, including 61 physical assaults, 52 attacks on church property, 28 cases of harassment, and 14 instances of vandalised signage. The Israeli army has been leveling neighborhoods in towns and villages near the Lebanese-Israeli border. The Israeli military stated it does not intentionally strike religious institutions. Two other individuals were killed in a strike on the village of Shoukin. The United States and Israel launched a war on Iran, Hezbollah’s main backer, two days before the latest war began.
Military Operations and Ceasefire Violations
Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed at least seven people and wounded others on Saturday, despite a ceasefire in place since April 17. Israel’s military issued a new warning on Saturday for residents of nine southern villages to evacuate the area. The Israeli air force carried out approximately 50 airstrikes over the last 24 hours, targeting Hezbollah infrastructure and members. Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes and launched a ground invasion of southern Lebanon. The Israeli military released a video showing Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon being destroyed, and stated its air force destroyed Bint Jbeil’s stadium after discovering it was booby-trapped. An airstrike on a car in Kfar Dajal killed two people. Hezbollah, in turn, launched a drone attack against Israeli troops gathered in a house in the coastal village of Bayed. Lebanon and Israel have also held their first direct talks in more than three decades amidst the ongoing conflict.
