Tag Archives: Deadly Clashes Erupt in Southern Lebanon

Politics, Regional

Outrage over Israeli soldier’s act of desecration in Lebanon

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DEBEL-(MaraviPost)-Widespread condemnation has followed the emergence of a disturbing image showing an Israeli soldier apparently hitting a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon.

The incident has sparked outrage among Christians and human rights groups, with many calling for accountability.

The image, which was taken in the Christian village of Debel, shows the soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen off a cross.

The Israeli military has confirmed the authenticity of the image and has launched an investigation into the incident.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the act, saying it was “stunned and saddened” by the destruction of the Catholic religious icon.

“I condemn the act in the strongest terms,” Netanyahu said in a statement on X. “Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender”.

The Israeli military has also apologized for the incident, saying it was “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”. “The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the military said in a statement.

The incident has sparked concerns about the treatment of Christians in the region, with some pointing out that Israel is one of the few safe havens for Christians in the Middle East.

However, others have criticized the Israeli military’s actions, saying they are inconsistent with the country’s claims of respecting religious freedom.

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Lebanon, with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US having been implemented last week.

The Israeli military has said it is working with the local community to restore the statue to its place.

The incident of an Israeli soldier smashing a Jesus statue in Lebanon has sparked widespread condemnation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed “harsh action” against the soldier, saying the act was “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the incident, labeling it “grave and disgraceful” and apologizing to Christians who felt hurt.

The international community has also reacted strongly, with the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, calling for “swift, severe, & public consequences”.

The Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land has expressed “profound indignation and unreserved condemnation” of the act, calling for immediate disciplinary action and accountability.

The incident has also sparked concerns about the treatment of Christians in the region, with some pointing out that Israel is one of the few safe havens for Christians in the Middle East.

However, others have criticized the Israeli military’s actions, saying they are inconsistent with the country’s claims of respecting religious freedom.

The current situation in Lebanon remains tense, with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the US having been implemented.

The Israeli military has said it is working with the local community to restore the statue to its place.

Regional

Deadly Clashes Erupt in Southern Lebanon as Israeli Withdrawal Deadline Expires

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

In a devastating turn of events, at least 15 people were killed and 83 wounded in southern Lebanon on Sunday, as Israeli forces opened fire on crowds of Lebanese civilians rushing back to their towns after the original deadline for the Israeli withdrawal expired overnight. The Lebanese Health Ministry confirmed the casualties, which occurred despite repeated warnings from the Israeli military not to enter zones still occupied by Israeli troops.

The 60-day deadline for the Israeli withdrawal ended on Sunday morning, but Israel declared on Friday that the gradual withdrawal process would continue, citing the need for full enforcement of the ceasefire agreement by the Lebanese state. The US has approved a short extension, but officials have expressed concern that a longer extension could lead to the collapse of the ceasefire.

As tensions escalated, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun issued a statement calling on residents to exercise restraint and trust in the armed forces. However, many civilians ignored instructions from the Lebanese army not to travel south, putting themselves at risk. Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri held intensive talks with international parties to pressure Israel to fully withdraw from Lebanese territory.

The clashes on Sunday morning centered on the eastern sector of southern Lebanon, opposite Israel’s Galilee panhandle. The Lebanese Army announced that its troops had deployed in several more villages in the Bint Jbeil district in the central sector, following an Israeli withdrawal from the area.

Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militant group, has repeatedly threatened Israel against extending the withdrawal deadline. “The continued presence of the enemy on our territory is unacceptable and constitutes an occupation,” Hezbollah MP Hussein Hajj Hassan said over the weekend.

The situation remains volatile, with the international community calling for restraint and a peaceful resolution. French President Emmanuel Macron praised the “sustained involvement of the Lebanese armed forces” and reiterated France’s commitment to supporting Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

As the situation continues to unfold, concerns are growing about the potential for further escalation. The international community must prioritize diplomatic efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution and prevent more bloodshed.

In a related development, Israeli forces have been accused of firing on UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, with reports of damage to vehicles and a communications system.¹ The incident highlights the risks faced by peacekeeping forces in the region and underscores the need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

As the world watches the situation in southern Lebanon with bated breath, one thing is clear: the need for a peaceful and lasting resolution has never been more urgent.