Israeli leaders, including the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and military officials, have strongly denounced the destruction of a crucifix by an Israeli soldier in a Christian village in southern Lebanon. The incident, captured in a photo shared online, shows the soldier using an axe to damage a sculpture of Jesus on the cross. The location was confirmed to be Debel, a village where residents endured an Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah.
The desecrated cross was part of a small shrine in a local family’s garden, according to Fadi Falfel, a priest in the village. The actions of the soldier were condemned as a disrespectful act towards sacred symbols by the local community. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his shock and disapproval, stating that the soldier’s behavior contradicts Jewish principles of tolerance and promising appropriate punishment.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called for swift and severe consequences for the soldier’s actions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also apologized on behalf of Israel, describing the incident as disgraceful and expressing regret for offending Christians. The Israeli military announced an investigation into the matter and emphasized that the soldier’s behavior does not align with military values.
Debel, along with other villages in southern Lebanon, is currently under Israeli control following a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States to end hostilities with Hezbollah. Despite the ceasefire, residents continue to face challenges and restrictions, prompting concerns about access and relief efforts. Israeli military officials have stated their commitment to collaborating with aid organizations to address the humanitarian needs of Debel and surrounding villages.