IDF probes soldiers seen damaging solar panels in south Lebanon Christian village

Key Points:

• The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are investigating footage showing military excavators damaging solar panels in the Christian village of Debel, southern Lebanon, with the military stating the actions do not align with IDF values.
• Debel, where an IDF soldier recently smashed a statue of Jesus, has not been ordered to evacuate amid fighting against Hezbollah, as Israel has exempted Christian communities from evacuation orders.
• Lebanese media report that Israeli forces also damaged water infrastructure, homes, roads, and olive trees in Debel, though the IDF claims it is targeting only Hezbollah infrastructure embedded within civilian areas.
• The soldier who destroyed the statue was dismissed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in military jail; the original statue was replaced by one donated by UN peacekeepers, while the IDF provided a smaller, differently styled replacement.
• The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which began in early March, entered a temporary ceasefire on April 17, but hostilities and attacks have continued, with both sides accusing each other of violations.