• The Israeli army (IDF) launched an urgent investigation after a photo spread on social media showing a soldier putting a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon.
  • The incident occurred in the village of Debel, a predominantly Christian area that has been the scene of systematic provocations and destruction in recent weeks.
  • Last month, two soldiers were filmed smashing a statue of Jesus with a hammer in the same village; they were removed from duty and sentenced to 30 days in prison.
  • Analysts warn of a paradox in Israeli military justice: soldiers are punished for incidents that damage the country’s image, while investigations into civilian deaths rarely result in indictments.
  • Israeli troops used bulldozers to destroy solar panels powering the village water supply in Debel, leaving residents without drinking water.
  • Critics say this is damage control while the scorched earth policy continues in Gaza.

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