Pastor Khalid Mezher martyred alongside his family in Suwayda

SUWAYDA, Syria — Khalid Mezher, pastor of the “Good Shepherd Evangelical Church” in Suwayda, was martyred along with his entire family — including his siblings, their children, and his parents — in a horrific massacre that claimed the lives of around twenty members of a single family.

Pastor Mezher, who was of Druze origin and hailed from the Suwayda Governorate, had converted to Christianity with his family many years ago. He continued to serve his Church and the people of the city with dedication until the moment of his martyrdom.

The Archdiocese of Bosra, Hauran, Mount Druze, and the Golan yesterday issued a statement condemning the ongoing war in Suwayda, affirming that it “claims the lives of both young and old.” The diocese issued a humanitarian appeal to people of conscience and sound minds to put an end to the bloodshed and bring the tragedy to a close.

The statement noted that the city remains under heavy shelling and missile attacks of various kinds, even after the announcement of a ceasefire. It also highlighted the complete absence of humanitarian aid, while Suwayda has been under a suffocating siege for ten consecutive days, with no signs of relief.