New crucifix installed in Debel following desecration by Israeli soldier.
Italian peacekeeping troops have assisted in the installation of a new statue of Jesus Christ in the southern Lebanese village of Debel, after an Israeli soldier destroyed the crucifix on the site.
The Apostolic Nuncio to Lebanon, Archbishop Paolo Borgia, visited the church of Debel to bless the new crucifix donated by Italian soldiers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The news was announced by Father Claudio, an Italian priest serving with UNIFIL, and was reported by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera and The Times of Israel.
The Italian forces of UNIFIL replace the crucifix in Debel, Lebanon, which was destroyed by an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer.
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The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) also delivered a crucifix to Debel, although it appeared significantly smaller and different in style to the original one which was destroyed when an Israeli soldier used a sledgehammer to smash the head off the icon.
The incident, filmed by another Israeli soldier, sparked international condemnation, including from Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Italian Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, strongly condemned the act, describing it as a “grave affront to the Christian faith” and part of “other reported incidents of desecration of Christian symbols.”
Following an enquiry, the IDF sentenced the two soldiers to 30 days in military detention and removed them from combat duty.
Six additional soldiers who witnessed the event without intervening are also facing disciplinary measures.
In a statement, the IDF expressed “deep regret” over the incident and was “working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future”.
Photo Debel Alerts – Facebook
