Lebanon News | Italy Replaces Crucifix Damaged By Israeli Soldier In Lebanese Village

A crucifix damaged by an Israeli soldier in the Lebanese Christian village of Debel has been replaced by Italian peacekeepers serving with United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). The replacement ceremony was attended by clergy, local residents, and Paolo Borgia, the Holy See’s ambassador to Lebanon. The family that owned the property rejected the replacement offered by the Israeli military and instead accepted one provided by Italy through its UN peacekeeping battalion. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the gesture as “a powerful message of peace, hope, and dialogue.” The Israeli military said the two soldiers involved in the vandalism would face one month of military detention.