IDF Releases Footage of Rocket Strike on St. George Church in Lebanon

JERUSALEM — The Israeli military released video footage on Thursday showing a rocket fired by Hezbollah striking the St. George Church in Marjayoun, southern Lebanon, an incident that has heightened tensions in the region.

The Israel Defense Forces spokesperson office distributed the material late Thursday evening, depicting the projectile's trajectory and the subsequent impact on the historic religious site. The footage, timestamped and geolocated by the IDF, shows the moment of detonation near the church's bell tower.

Marjayoun, a town in the southern Lebanese district of Nabatieh, has been a focal point of cross-border exchanges between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants. The St. George Church, a prominent landmark in the town, sustained damage from the strike, though the extent of structural harm and any potential casualties remain unconfirmed.

Hezbollah has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the specific incident or the footage released by the IDF. The group has previously denied responsibility for attacks on civilian infrastructure, often attributing such incidents to Israeli military operations or collateral damage from retaliatory strikes.

The IDF stated that the footage was released to document the ongoing conflict dynamics and to provide transparency regarding the nature of cross-border fire. Military officials emphasized that the release was intended to illustrate the risks posed to civilian areas in southern Lebanon.

Local residents in Marjayoun reported hearing a loud explosion shortly before the footage was made public. Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, but details regarding injuries or the condition of the church's interior were not immediately available.

The incident comes amid a period of escalated hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, with both sides engaging in periodic exchanges of fire along the border. Diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the situation have been ongoing, though no breakthrough has been announced.

International observers have expressed concern over the targeting of religious sites, which are often considered protected under international humanitarian law. The United Nations has called for restraint from all parties involved.

As of late Thursday, no further updates had been released regarding the aftermath of the strike. The status of the church's congregation and the timeline for potential repairs remain unclear. The IDF has not indicated whether additional footage or statements regarding the incident are planned.

The situation in southern Lebanon remains fluid, with both sides maintaining high alert levels. Residents in the area have been advised to seek shelter in designated safe zones as the risk of further exchanges persists.

Questions remain regarding the specific circumstances surrounding the strike, including the origin of the rocket and the intent behind the attack. The lack of immediate confirmation from Hezbollah or independent verification of the footage has left the full context of the incident unresolved.