Was the convent of the Sisters of the Holy Savior in Lebanon destroyed by the Israeli army?

The newspaper L’Orient-Le Jour reported on May 1st that the Israeli army had destroyed a convent and a school belonging to the Sisters of the Holy Savior in the town of Yaroun, in the Bint Jbeil district, in southern Lebanon. The information is based on the findings of a correspondent in the region and parish sources, in a context of widespread destruction in this border area. According to the newspaper, Israeli forces are continuing their blasting and demolition operations in what they describe as a “buffer zone” established de facto in South Lebanon. Yaroun, already heavily damaged during the clashes between Israel and Hezbollah in the fall of 2024, is said to be one of the villages where destruction is ongoing with the help of bulldozers and explosives.

Father Charbel Naddaf, the local parish priest, confirmed these details to the newspaper’s correspondent. He denounced a “flagrant violation of international law,” stating that these actions are aimed at preventing the return of residents to the region. According to him, homes and places of worship are gradually being destroyed, in a climate of helplessness on the part of local authorities.

The congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Savior, mentioned in this context, belongs to the Melkite Greek Catholic Church. Founded in the 19th century in the Middle East, it has long been involved in education and serving populations, especially in rural areas. The institutions it oversees generally welcome students of different faiths and play an important social role in regions marked by fragility. In the same sector, the newspaper also mentions a massive explosion that occurred in Chamaa, near a site that is both religious and historic, including a citadel. The explosions were felt in a large part of southern Lebanon, indicating the intensity of the ongoing operations.

At this stage, there has been no independent confirmation from major international news agencies and Israeli media outlets do not specifically mention the destruction of a religious establishment in Yaroun. Israeli authorities generally claim that their operations target infrastructure linked to Hezbollah, in a context where civilian areas are often intertwined with armed positions. Without cross-verification, the exact circumstances of the reported destruction remain to be established. However, the local testimonies relayed by a reputable newspaper lend some weight to this information, which warrants special attention.

Beyond this specific case, the situation underscores the vulnerability of religious and educational institutions in conflict zones. The possible destruction of a convent and a Catholic school highlights the fragility of local Christian communities, whose longstanding presence is based on service and proximity that are now threatened.