Israeli soldiers punished over vandalism of Jesus statue in Lebanon

Locals had said the statue was on a crucifix outside a family home on the edge of Debel, one of the few villages where residents have remained during Israel's war with Hezbollah.The head of Debel's congregation, Father Fadi Flaifel, told the BBC after the incident: "We totally reject the desecration of the cross, our sacred symbol, and all religious symbols."It goes against the declaration of human rights, and it doesn't reflect civility."He claimed similar incidents had happened before.Thousands of Israeli troops continue to occupy a wide area of southern Lebanon after a US-brokered ceasefire came into force between Israel and Lebanon on Friday.Israel Defense ForcesThe IDF said its troops had replaced the statue on TuesdayThe ceasefire has paused six weeks of fighting between the IDF and the Shia Muslim armed group Hezbollah, although both sides have accused each other of violations.Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in support of Iran two days after Israel and the US launched a war on Tehran on 28 February.