Unbiased AI-powered news
An Israeli soldier destroyed a statue of Jesus in the Christian village of Debel, southern Lebanon, on April 19, 2026, according to verified footage. The IDF confirmed the incident, opened an investigation, and pledged to restore the statue. A separate cross in the village was also destroyed, with conflicting accounts on its replacement.
IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)An IDF soldier smashed a statue of Jesus in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, on April 19, 2026. The incident was captured in footage that went viral, as reported by @MarioNawfal. Local reports detailed the soldier using a sledgehammer in the village setting.
Post by @MarioNawfal on X
The IDF confirmed the authenticity of the footage showing the soldier smashing the statue. The military described the soldier's conduct as wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops. The IDF opened an investigation into the soldier's actions.
The IDF pledged to help restore the statue. This response came amid broader context of the incident occurring in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon. com. A Christian cross standing in Debel, southern Lebanon, was destroyed by IDF forces, according to local witnesses.
The Israeli military claimed it helped replace the monument in Debel. Residents of Debel insist Italian UNIFIL peacekeepers restored the monument.
france24.comFormer health secretary Wes Streeting said he will support Andy Burnham to succeed Keir Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. Burnham, who won a parliamentary seat last week, is now the clear frontrunner to take office around mid-July.
theiranproject.comThe United States and Iran reached agreement on a roadmap to conclude their conflict within 60 days following high-level talks in Switzerland. Technical discussions will continue this week at Burgenstock resort under mediation by Pakistan and Qatar.
dohanews.coHigh-level negotiations in Switzerland seeking a permanent end to the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran concluded after one round. Technical talks will continue for the rest of the week to address issues including Tehran's nuclear program.