On September 22, Maronite Cardinal Béchara Raï expressed his profound sadness over the devastating Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which he described as "devoid of humanity." This statement was made during his Sunday homily, where he denounced the escalation of violence in the region, particularly the massive airstrikes that have hit southern Lebanon.
An Alarming Escalation of Conflict
According to the Lebanese press agency NNA, these Israeli strikes were among the most intense since Hezbollah began launching rockets into northern Israel last year in support of Hamas. In just one hour, 111 airstrikes were carried out on the morning of September 21, targeting approximately 180 Hezbollah-related objectives, according to statements from the Israeli army.
This retaliation followed a series of attacks by Hezbollah on September 22, with more than 100 rockets aimed at a wider and deeper area of northern Israel. A Hezbollah official claimed that an "open and unlimited battle" was now underway, announcing a real risk of total war.
Calls for International Intervention
Faced with this critical situation, Cardinal Raï called on the UN Security Council to intervene quickly to end this conflict. "In times of war, everyone loses," he reminded, stressing that the only beneficiaries of these conflicts are arms dealers. The human toll is mounting, with a death toll of 37, including seven women and three children, after a targeted Israeli army strike in a suburb of Beirut.
In a context of growing tensions, the Vatican, through the voice of Pope Francis, renewed its call for prayer for peace. "Brothers and sisters, let us continue to pray for peace," he implored after the Angelus, emphasizing the suffering of populations caught in wars.
A Worrying Political Situation
Cardinal Raï also shared his concern regarding Lebanon's political evolution. The country, once renowned for its unique pluralism, is now sliding towards division and instability. The prelate urged Lebanese political leaders to work for a stable and independent state, capable of overcoming internal fractures. He insisted on the importance of electing a president who will restore legislative powers to Parliament and maintain the constitutional authority of the Council of Ministers.
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Maronite Archbishop Charbel Abdallah of Tyre, a key city in southern Lebanon, for his part recalled the fragility of the local population, marked by the painful memories of the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. Yet, despite the intensity of the fighting, he stressed that "prayer remains at the heart of the Christian communities" that still remain in the region.
Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, the United Nations Special Coordinator for Lebanon, posted a clear message on X: "There is no military solution that will make either side safer." This comment highlights the gravity of the situation, with the region on the brink of catastrophe.