Story perspectives

Netanyahu lauds Christian troops as IDF probes Debel statue demolition.

4/27/2026

Center

Netanyahu Praises Soldiers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video praising Christian IDF soldiers amid scrutiny over the Debel incident.
Israel Defense Forces opened an investigation when soldiers destroyed panels and Jesus statue in Debel, sentencing soldier to 30 days.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the IDF would raze all Lebanese villages except Christian communities.
Lebanese media reported the demolition damaged water infrastructure, homes, roads and olive trees in Debel.

Left

Italian Peacekeepers Deliver

Italian peacekeepers delivered a Jesus statue to Debel, hailed as an international symbol of hope.
Israel detained the soldier who smashed the statue, held two others and questioned six military troops.
Lebanese media reported demolition damaged water infrastructure, homes, roads and olive trees in Debel.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni praised the statue; Father Fadi Felefli said it brings villagers hope.

History

Historical Context

Israel’s 1948 war razing of over 400 villages, including al-Bassa, and Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion’s order displaced about 750,000 Palestinians, a pattern that continued with the 1967 Jerusalem sweep and thousands of demolitions by 2019. The 2024 demolition of Debel’s Jesus statue, ordered by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, revived that legacy, prompting Italian peacekeepers and UN monitors to demand accountability.

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Netanyahu Praises Soldiers

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a video praising Christian IDF soldiers amid scrutiny over the Debel incident.
Israel Defense Forces opened an investigation when soldiers destroyed panels and Jesus statue in Debel, sentencing soldier to 30 days.
Defense Minister Israel Katz warned the IDF would raze all Lebanese villages except Christian communities.
Lebanese media reported the demolition damaged water infrastructure, homes, roads and olive trees in Debel.

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