The parish priest of Debl, Father Fadi Felfle, issued an appeal on MTV’s website to “those working for peace to protect civilians in the Christian border villages in the south, especially after Israel targeted citizen George Saeed and his son Elias, who were killed just a few hours ago.”

He added: “Unfortunately, innocent people are paying the price of the war. We call for our protection, especially while passing through the humanitarian corridor between Debl and Rmeish, which has been closed by Israel. We are awaiting permission to cross and bring the coffins to Debl to hold the funeral and burial of the two victims.”