Italian UNIFIL troops install new statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon VIDEO

Italian peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), together with a Vatican representative, have delivered and installed a new statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon following the destruction of the original statue by an Israeli soldier, Italian media reports.

🔴 | Soldados italianos de la UNIFIL instalan una nueva estatua de Jesucristo en la aldea de Debel, al sur del Líbano, tras la destrucción de la imagen original por parte de un soldado israelí. pic.twitter.com/5g9fk08E3J

— Alerta Mundial (@AlertaMundoNews) April 23, 2026

The original statue was damaged in the Debel area, prompting widespread public anger after footage of the incident circulated online.

Earlier accounts said an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier struck a crucifix-mounted statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer. The incident was later acknowledged by the Israeli military, which said it had launched an investigation, issued an apology, and taken disciplinary measures against those involved.

The statue was reportedly located outside a family home on the outskirts of Debel, one of the few villages where residents have remained amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The incident sparked strong reactions locally and drew condemnation from religious groups and international observers, including representatives of the Vatican.

By Sabina Mammadli