Israel installs new cross in Lebanon after desecration of Christ statue

The new cross handed over to the Christian community in Lebanon by the Israel Defense Forces. Photo: Tribune Chrétienne

On April 21, 2026, Israel handed a new cross to the Christian community in southern Lebanon to replace the one destroyed after an incident in which an Israeli serviceman used a hammer to smash the face of Christ on a crucifix, Tribune Chrétienne reported.

The soldier was caught on video desecrating the Christian cross. The footage spread widely on social media and sparked public outrage. The video shows the figure of Christ being removed from the cross and turned upside down, after which the statue’s head is struck several times with a heavy object. The incident drew a sharp reaction from local residents and Christian communities in the region.

On April 21, the Israel Defense Forces announced disciplinary measures against the serviceman who smashed the statue of Christ in the Christian village of Debel. The soldier was sentenced to 30 days in military detention and removed from combat duty. A second serviceman, who filmed the incident, received the same punishment.

Local authorities reacted strongly. Maroun Nassif, deputy head of the Debel municipality, described what happened as an attack on religious values and condemned the desecration.

At the same time, the Israeli side took a symbolic step by handing over a new cross to the Christian community to replace the damaged one and expressing readiness to help restore the desecrated shrine.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Greece also reacted to the incident. Ieronymos II, Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, condemned the desecration of the statue of the crucified Christ in southern Lebanon, stressing that violence against holy objects is unacceptable and calling for peace.

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