An investigation was launched by the Israeli army after the release of a video showing soldiers damaging infrastructure in southern Lebanon, which sparked a backlash.
The Israel Defense Forces said it is investigating the incident, captured on video and published by Lebanese media, in which military excavators are seen destroying photovoltaic panels in the Christian village of Debel, in southern Lebanon.
Debel, like many other Christian communities in southern Lebanon, has not been ordered by Israel to evacuate amid clashes with Hezbollah. Last week, a soldier there destroyed a statue of Jesus in the village, sparking widespread outrage.
According to an official statement from the army, the actions depicted in the footage “are not consistent with the values of the army and the behavior expected of soldiers.”
A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.
The IDF… pic.twitter.com/nGh1s1iia1
– Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 21, 2026