The statue of Christ in Dibl that was destroyed by Israel. (Photo posted on Facebook in 2021)
SOUTH LEBANON — Italian U.N. peacekeepers have replaced a statue of Jesus Christ vandalized by Israeli soldiers in the garden of a house on the outskirts of the Christian town of Dibil, in southern Lebanon, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said Thursday.
"I wish to thank Commander Diodato Abagnara, as well as the entire Italian contingent of UNIFIL, for deciding to offer a new crucifix to the Lebanese village of Dibil," Meloni said in a statement. "The images of the statue returned to the community and installed in the exact spot where the statue destroyed a few days ago by a [Israeli army] soldier once stood are heartening and bear a strong message of hope, dialogue, and peace," she added.
Contacted by our correspondent in the region, a village mokhtar (official) clarified that the area where the house is located is currently considered a military zone and the Israeli army has prohibited residents from going there or moving around. He also noted that the replacement operation was carried out in the presence of the apostolic nuncio, several Christian religious leaders, and the homeowners.
The Israeli army announced Tuesday that it had installed "in coordination with the residents" of the predominantly Christian village of Dibil a new statue of Jesus Christ. According to the mokhtar, while a photo showing the cross in the garden had circulated, no residents attended the installation, which he mainly described as a "media operation" following the outrage caused by the desecration of the original cross.
The photo showing the desecration of the broken crucifix prompted widespread condemnation this week. The two Israeli soldiers involved have been removed from combat duty and placed in detention for 30 days.
