Italian peacekeepers have replaced a statue of Jesus Christ destroyed by an Israeli soldier in the southern Lebanese village of Debel, an incident that sparked outrage among Christian communities worldwide.
Israel apologized for the act and detained two soldiers, while questioning six others. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the behavior as inconsistent with the values of the Israeli military.
The new statue was delivered alongside Archbishop Paolo Borgia, the Vatican’s ambassador to Lebanon, and received warmly by residents.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said the gesture symbolizes hope, dialogue, and peace.
Local priest Father Fadi Felefli welcomed the replacement, expressing hope and said it would ease tensions.
Despite the incident, he emphasized forgiveness, echoing the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Tags:
Israel, Lebanon, Italian peacekeepers, Jesus statue, Debel, IDF, Vatican, Paolo Borgia, Giorgia Meloni, Middle East conflict, Christianity, religious tensions
