Israeli Soldier Desecrates Virgin Mary Statue

The Israel Defense Forces is investigating an Israeli soldier who was photographed placing a cigarette on a statue of the Virgin Mary in the Christian village of Debel, southern Lebanon. This incident follows a previous event where another Israeli soldier damaged a statue of Jesus in the same village, leading to disciplinary action. The Catholic Church and local religious leaders, including Father Fadi Felfeli, have condemned these actions as 'disrespectful and outrageous,' reflecting extremism and intolerance. The Israel Defense Forces has stated that such conduct deviates from its values and that appropriate measures will be taken. These events occur amidst ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, despite a US-brokered ceasefire, further straining Israel's relations with the Christian community and exacerbating regional tensions.