Debel, Lebanon, April 27, 2026
Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers with the replaced statue in Lebanon. Photo: Debel Alerts
Italian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) have replaced a Crucifix that was destroyed by Israeli soldiers in the Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon.
Last week, images circulated on social media showing an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to crush a statue of Jesus Christ that had fallen from a Crucifix. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) later confirmed that the image was authentic and depicted one of its troops.
Following international outcry, the IDF announced that it had replaced the damaged Crucifix, but it appeared significantly smaller than the original and was propped against a tree rather than firmly planted in the ground as the original had been.
However, Lebanese media outlets subsequently reported that it was actually Italian peacekeepers who provided and installed a proper replacement. Roya News in Lebanon reported that Italy had sent a more suitable replacement as part of its role within UNIFIL. Images published by Lebanese media showed the Italian-provided statue more closely resembled the original and was installed in its original location, reports thejournal.ie.
The Crucifix photographed by the Israeli military being carried in procession at a local church. Photo: thejournal.ie
The Apostolic nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, attended the installation to bless the new Crucifix.
Reports differ on what happened to the crucifix provided by the IDF. Some outlets report it was moved elsewhere, while other sources say the Israeli military simply photographed an existing Crucifix from a church to give the impression they had provided a replacement.
Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni thanked the Italian peacekeeping contingent on Thursday, saying the images of the statue being returned to its original location “are heart-warming and send a powerful message of hope, dialogue and peace.”
Debel’s Catholic parish priest, Fr. Fadi Felefli, told CNN the gift of the new statue was giving residents hope amid ongoing conflict. The village, located about four miles west of Bint Jbeil, remains one of 55 Lebanese towns and villages currently occupied by Israeli forces. Its population has declined from around 4,000 before the war to approximately 1,600, including 500 children.
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