A humanitarian and historical appeal is being made to the papal embassy, the Vatican, and to the United States and France. This is a national and spiritual call to the President of the Republic, rooted in the South, and to the Patriarchal See, urging them to take swift action to rescue the Christian villages along the border strip and protect them from the ravages of war, sparing them from its fierce horrors and shielding them from the flames of killing and destruction. These villages are calling for neutrality and seeking protection from the Lebanese state and the Lebanese army; however, their residents have found themselves abandoned, leaving them to surrender their fate to God. Their deep Christian faith shines through as they remain steadfast in their land with hope and prayer, relying on God’s care and the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the saints of Lebanon.

Protect these peaceful Christian villages that do not desire war but seek to live in safety, peace, and dignity among their people, alongside friends and foes alike, and keep them safe from Israeli aggression. They are firmly attached to their roots and the land of their ancestors.

They have never taken up arms; instead, they have carried rosaries to pray and plead.

They have not allowed any outsider to touch their land or roam freely within it.

They have refused to let Palestinians enter their territory to wage war from there.

They have not permitted Hezbollah to establish missile platforms on their land.

They have not supported Gaza, for they are not involved in the war and desire nothing but to live in peace.

They have never posed a threat to their neighbors or enemies but live in faith and the fear of God, guided by love, peace, and goodness, having built good relationships with their neighbors from various communities.

They have refused to leave their villages despite the threats, particularly amid escalating military operations in the southern Litani region, especially along the southern border adjacent to the Blue Line, where the residents of these villages face continuous threats of eviction from their homes and lands. Nevertheless, they insist on staying and resisting, refusing to abandon their villages, as doing so would threaten their existence on their land, a fate they have experienced many times before. They remain steadfast, clinging to their land, history, and roots. They gather in front of church courtyards and seek shelter in their halls with their priests, ringing bells to announce their determination to stay, no matter the challenges and dangers. They regard their presence on the land as a form of resistance and a means to preserve their identity and heritage.

These villages are distributed as follows:

In the Tyre district: Al-Ma’sharah, the only Christian town in this district on the front lines, with a strategically significant geographic location.

In the Bint Jbeil district: Rmeish, Ain Ebel, Debel, and Al-Qawzah.

In the Marjeyoun district: Jadida Marjeyoun and Al-Qala’a.

Yet, two tragic incidents have claimed the lives of two of our martyrs, whose pure blood remains a testament to love for the homeland and the steadfastness of its people in their land, identity, and faith.

On March 8, 2026, Sami Al-Ghafri, the brother of the priest of Al-Ma’sharah, was martyred as a result of an Israeli drone attack in the garden of his home, which he had restored and returned to. He had taken a photo standing on the ruins of his previously destroyed home. Despite this, the residents chose to stay; however, the mechanism informed the Lebanese army and UNIFIL of the need to evacuate the town on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 9 AM. The papal embassy also advised the residents of Al-Ma’sharah to comply with the order due to the gravity of the situation, leading to the complete evacuation of the town. The residents left reluctantly, all carrying a single hope in their hearts: to return to their land.

The following day, on March 9, Father Pierre Al-Ra’i, the martyr of the church in Al-Qala’a, bore his cross and remained with his people, the good shepherd who refused to abandon his flock, only to be slain by wolves. Thus, he became a martyr on the altar of steadfastness to the land, identity, and faith. Despite everything, the residents insisted on staying to continue their message of resilience and persistence.

They lived as heroes and died as martyrs, and their memory will remain eternal, serving as a role model for future generations. Their lives were marked by dignity and honor, and their pure blood bears witness to their love for the homeland and the commitment of its people to their land, identity, and faith. Their deaths were acts of bravery, a testament to their adherence to truth and freedom.

Ultimately, the resilience of the residents of these villages sends a powerful message to the world: the land and homeland must be preserved through steadfastness and perseverance. They chose to defend their history and spirit through determination and faith, away from violence, carrying a message of peace, love, and dignity in the heart of Southern Lebanon.

O Lord, protect our Lebanon, in its South, North, East, and West, and safeguard its land, people, and identity.