IDF Soldier’s Destruction of Jesus Statue in Debel Triggers Investigation, International Condemnation, and UNIFIL Replacement

Footage released in early April 2026 shows an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier striking a statue of Jesus with a hammer-like tool in the Christian village of Debel, southern Lebanon, while another soldier photographed the act. The video spread rapidly on social media, prompting outrage across religious and diplomatic circles.

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Debel, home to roughly 1,600 residents—including 500 children—has been under Israeli occupation since the war that began on 2 March 2026 between Israel and Hezbollah. The village, one of 55 Lebanese communities under Israeli control, remains un-evacuated despite nearby fighting. The broader conflict has caused at least 2,500 Lebanese deaths, according to health authorities.

Times of Israel

• Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

• Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli Foreign Minister

Middle East Monitor

• Radoslaw Sikorski, Polish Foreign Minister

Israeli, Polish foreign ministers spar on X about destroyed Jesus statue

• Mike Huckabee, U.S. Ambassador to Israel

Middle East Monitor

• Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy

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• UNIFIL Italian Contingent (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon)

• Archbishop Paolo Borgia, Vatican envoy to Lebanon

• Father Fadi Felefli, parish priest of St George’s, Debel

• IDF (including the 162nd Division)

• Early April 2026 – Video of the statue’s destruction circulates.

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• 22 April 2026 – IDF announces an internal investigation, calling the conduct “wholly inconsistent with IDF values.”

The Jerusalem Post

• 24 April 2026 – Two soldiers receive 30-day detention; six others are summoned for clarification.

Middle East Monitor

• 24 April 2026 – Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers, escorted by Archbishop Borgia, replace the statue in a public ceremony.

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• 17 April 2026 – A U.S.–mediated ceasefire takes effect, remaining in place as of the latest reports.

Times of Israel

• 30-day detention for the soldier who smashed the statue and the soldier who photographed it.

The Jerusalem Post

• Six additional soldiers summoned for “clarification discussions.”

• Debel’s population: 1,600 (down from ~4,000 pre-war).

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• War casualties: at least 2,500 Lebanese deaths.

Times of Israel

• UNIFIL contribution: a new crucifix placed in the village garden; the IDF’s replacement crucifix was smaller and installed inside the church.

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Prime Minister Netanyahu called the act “grave and contrary to Israel’s values of tolerance and mutual respect.” The IDF said the incident “does not align with the values of the IDF and the conduct expected of its soldiers,” promising disciplinary measures. Foreign Minister Sa’ar labeled the act “grave and disgraceful” and urged caution in public statements. Italy’s Meloni described the statue’s delivery as “heart-warming” and a “powerful message of hope, dialogue, and peace.” Archbishop Borgia participated in the replacement ceremony, emphasizing reconciliation.

Middle East Monitor

Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski echoed Sa’ar’s condemnation, calling the act “grave and disgraceful.” U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee joined the denunciation, labeling the vandalism “shameful.” Commentary in *Middle East Monitor* highlighted perceived selective outrage, noting that similar damage to Islamic sites has not drawn comparable condemnation.

Israeli, Polish foreign ministers spar on X about destroyed Jesus statue

Resident Milia Louka, who fled Debel, said, “We go to sleep terrified… Two of my family members have been killed by Israeli airstrikes.” Father Fadi Felefli expressed forgiveness, stating, “We are the sons of peace and sons of forgiveness… ‘God forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.’”

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Sources differ on the replacement statue: the IDF delivered a smaller crucifix placed inside the church, while UNIFIL’s Italian contingent provided a larger statue installed outdoors. Reports also vary on whether the six summoned soldiers have faced additional sanctions; the final outcomes of their investigations remain pending.

• “the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon.” — Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel

Middle East Monitor

• “The damaging of a Christian religious symbol by an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon is grave and disgraceful.” — Gideon Sa’ar, Israeli Foreign Minister

Middle East Monitor

• “We are the sons of peace and sons of forgiveness; like Jesus said when he was being crucified, ‘God forgive them, for they don’t know what they’re doing.’” — Father Fadi Felefli, Parish Priest, Debel

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• “The images of the statue’s delivery to the community and its placement, in the same spot where the statue was destroyed a few days earlier by an IDF soldier, fill my heart and convey a powerful message of hope, dialogue, and peace,” — Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy

• “We accepted (Israel’s) apology because we are hoping that this makes things easier for us, so we don’t feel as suffocated,” — Local resident, Debel

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• “The actions seen in the video do not align with the values of the IDF and the conduct expected of its soldiers,” — IDF spokesperson, *Times of Israel*

Times of Israel

The IDF’s internal probe continues, with further disciplinary decisions expected for the six soldiers under review. UNIFIL’s Italian contingent remains active in delivering humanitarian aid, while the ceasefire’s durability will shape future security operations in Debel and surrounding villages.

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