As conflict intensifies in the Middle East, Melkite Greek Catholic Archbishop Georges Iskandar of Tyre has expressed concern over the impact on civilians in Lebanon. In a message to OSV News on March 2, Iskandar described how residents were caught off guard by sudden Israeli airstrikes. “What weighs most heavily upon the heart is that those paying the price are simple and peaceful people: families in their homes, children, the sick and the elderly — men and women who have no part in the calculations of greater conflicts and no responsibility for the forces that have brought about this violence,” he said.
The archbishop explained that civilians found themselves unexpectedly at risk. “In a matter of moments, they found themselves at the center of a storm they did not choose, armed only with fear and prayer,” he added.
Tensions escalated after U.S. and Israeli forces launched an attack on Iran on February 28, resulting in the death of Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Following this event, Hezbollah militants targeted an Israeli military site in Haifa with missiles and drones. Israel responded by launching missiles into southern Lebanon and issuing evacuation orders to multiple villages, leading to widespread displacement.
Iskandar reported that residents received “rapid Israeli warnings” to evacuate within a short period. “Within minutes, the roads were overwhelmed with vehicles, and traffic came to a standstill for long hours,” he said. “Families with children and elderly relatives were stranded on the roads, uncertain where to go, carrying only what they could gather in haste, leaving behind homes, memories and livelihoods.” He continued: “It was a painful sight: unarmed civilians fleeing danger, not because they are parties to a conflict, but because the geography in which they live suddenly became a theater of confrontation.”
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam criticized Hezbollah’s actions as destabilizing for Lebanon’s security. He stated on X March 2: “Launching rockets from southern Lebanon is an irresponsible and suspicious act.” Salam added: “It endangers Lebanon’s security and safety and provides Israel with pretexts to continue its aggressions against it.”
Aid organizations have also voiced concern about escalating violence across the region. The papal foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) warned that Christian communities face increasing risks due to ongoing conflict. Regina Lynch, ACN International’s executive president, said: “The Christian presence in the Middle East must not die out… A new spiral of violence could push already fragile communities beyond the point of survival.” Lynch noted that Christians throughout Iraq, Syria, Gaza, West Bank—and now Lebanon—face worsening conditions due to war.
“They want peace and are innocent yet they repeatedly become victims of conflict,” Lynch said regarding Christians in southern Lebanon. She added that ACN teams report rising anxiety as thousands have already been displaced.
Archbishop Iskandar stated that his archeparchy has provided shelter for displaced Christian families since “the Church is a home open to every suffering person.” He described efforts by priests and volunteers: “Priests, volunteers and members of the local community immediately organized whatever space and resources were available… striving to ensure that each arrival would feel welcomed as in his or her own home…”
He emphasized Lebanese solidarity during crisis: The act of “spontaneous solidarity,” he added,“showed the true face of Lebanon” as “a people who stand beside the innocent who have suddenly found themselves exposed to fear and displacement.”
While refraining from naming specific groups such as Hezbollah directly when discussing combatants’ roles within Lebanese society or government authority over war decisions,“the decision of war and peace rests exclusively in hands of state,” Iskandar said; acting outside these boundaries goes against lawfulness sought by Lebanese citizens yearning for stability.
The archbishop spoke about lasting psychological effects caused by repeated outbreaks:“They fear for their children… yearn for simple ordinary life… This is fundamental right beyond noise arms political calculations.” He also shared his commitment:“to listen suffering pray remind dignity safeguarded sight God Christian hope not built upon balances power but faith Lord history who wills peace His people.”
“I thank you again for your concern for our people’s suffering resilience,” Archbishop Iskander concluded.“And I humbly ask your prayers protection innocent cessation all violence gift just lasting peace region Lebanon whole.”
