Lebanese village, UNIFIL replaces IDF-gifted Jesus statue
The Jerusalem Post • • world
Key Points:
- Residents of Debel village in southern Lebanon rejected a statue of Jesus provided by the IDF after an Israeli soldier smashed the original statue.
- With help from an Italian UNIFIL battalion, villagers replaced the IDF statue with one identical to the broken original, showing disinterest in the military's gift.
- The soldier who smashed the statue was removed from combat and sentenced to 30 days in prison, alongside another soldier who photographed the incident.
- The IDF investigation found the soldiers' actions exceeded official orders, and six additional soldiers involved were summoned for further inquiry.
- The IDF expressed regret over the incident, emphasizing their operations in Lebanon target Hezbollah and terrorists, not Lebanese civilians.
