₦airaland Forum

The Israeli soldiers who damaged a figure of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon and photographed the incident will be removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days of military detention, according to the Israeli military.

Six additional soldiers who witnessed the incident but did nothing to stop it or report it will be summoned for what the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) called “clarification discussions that will be held later on.” The IDF said other command-level measures could be taken.

On Sunday, a photo emerged on social media of an Israeli soldier wielding what appears to be a hammer or axe against the figure of a crucified Jesus Christ in the predominantly Christian town of Debel. The photo seemingly showed the soldier hitting the head of the figure after it had been removed from the cross.

Maroun Nassif, the deputy head of the municipality, told CNN after the incident that it was “an attack on our sacred beliefs.”

The IDF opened an investigation into the photo, calling the soldiers’ actions “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the attack on the religious figure. “I condemn the act in the strongest terms,” he said in a statement on Monday.

On Tuesday, the IDF said they had worked “in full coordination” with the community of Debel to replace the figure of Jesus Christ. The new figure, appeared to be made of metal on a new cross. “The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future,” the IDF said.

Wadih El Khazen, a former tourism minister in Lebanon and Maronite Christian leader, called for “international action to ensure accountability for all those who commit these crimes.” According to Lebanon’s state-run NNA news, El Khazen said on Monday, “The historical truth about the war in Lebanon is unforgiving, and it places a great responsibility on us to protect civilians, reject all forms of discrimination and violence, and work toward a lasting and just peace.”

Debel is one of 55 Lebanese towns and villages inside a swath of southern Lebanon currently occupied by Israeli forces. It is approximately four miles west of Bint Jbeil, a town which the IDF has surrounded as it tries to root out what it says is a Hezbollah stronghold there.

Kobojunkie:
The hypocrite here is the Islamist pretending to care about statues belonging to Christians when Christians live as slaves in Islamic countries. (Christians can't even display such statues or crosses in Islamic countries.)😒😒

jmoore:
Hearts of who? Islamic terrorists or what?

Jesus Christ is in heaven. He is not bothered about an idol. Neither would he encourage Christians to act like Muslims who support killing because of blasphemy.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed “harsh action” on Monday against a soldier caught on camera vandalising a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.


The photo, which the military determined was authentic after it spread online, shows an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen off a cross.

insidelife22:
Is statue now Jesus Christ, did Jesus Christ ever took a picture.
Face you frofet in fiss.

Kushites:
Or a Fulani...

They would scream their heads off.

But Israel does it and they hide under their tables, pretending not to see.

Iranian forces launched drone strikes Sunday on multiple American vessels in retaliation for US forces firing on and intercepting an Iranian ship, according to local media.

The semi-official news agency Tasnim reported that after US forces boarded the container ship TOUSKA in the Gulf of Oman, Iranian drones were launched against American vessels, without specifying whether the targets were military or commercial.

Iran had confirmed earlier that US forces seized the Iranian vessel and warned that it would retaliate “soon” following the move, which it called a violation of a Pakistan-brokered two-week ceasefire that has largely held since it was announced on April 7.

Fars News Agency, also semi-official, reported that the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters said US forces had targeted the vessel, disabled its navigation system and boarded it after what it described as a ceasefire violation.

Ship tracking data shows the TOUSKA departed Port Klang in Malaysia on April 12.

Iranian military spokesman Ebrahim Zolfaghari said US forces opened fire at the vessel before boarding it.

The incident was first announced by US President Donald Trump on Sunday and later confirmed by US Central Command (CENTCOM), which said the USS Spruance intercepted the Iranian-flagged cargo ship, which attempted to breach a US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman.

The Israeli army has confirmed that a photograph showing an Israeli soldier harming a Christian symbol in southern Lebanon is authentic.

The admission follows widespread outrage over a video depicting a soldier using a jackhammer to smash the head of a statue of Jesus Christ in the town of Deir Siryan.

The Israeli army has determined that the incident involved a soldier operating in southern Lebanon.

The desecration occurred despite the Israeli army’s insistence that it "has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols."


While the military claims the incident is being investigated by the Northern Command, it provided no details on the soldier’s identity or specific disciplinary actions.

Former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene lashed out at the news, questioning the status of "our greatest ally" that receives billions in tax dollars and weapons.


Ryan Grim, a prominent US media person, said, "Israeli soldiers have been posting images of their war crimes and cultural desecration for two and a half years straight without interruption."

Noted far-right commentator and former Congressman Matt Gaetz called the Israeli action "horrific".

Lebanese media have reported damage to another Christian site in the village of Ain Ebel in the same district.

Reports indicate that Israeli strikes hit a number of religious sites in southern Lebanon, including the village of Shamaa in the Tyre district.

The Member Representing Oju/Obi Federal Constituency at the National Assembly and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Army, Rt. Hon. David Ogewu, has been awarded a Master's Degree in Criminology and Security Studies from the National Open University of Nigeria.

Sandra Eunice Idoko, an indigene of Otunche-Anchim in Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, has emerged as the best graduating student at the Nigerian Law School Bar Finals. She clinched a First Class, further cementing her reputation as one of the state’s brightest legal minds.

A brilliant law graduate from Benue State, Sandra Eunice Idoko, has brought pride to her community and the state after emerging as the best graduating student at the Nigerian Law School Bar Finals.

Idoko, who hails from Otunche-Anchim in Oju Local Government Area, achieved a First Class (LL.B, B.L), marking a significant milestone in her academic journey.

Before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, she had earlier distinguished herself at Benue State University, now known as Fr. Adasu University where she graduated top of her class from the Faculty of Law about two years ago.

Her academic excellence dates back to her undergraduate years, where she reportedly maintained a perfect 5.0 Grade Point Average throughout her studies, emerging as the best-performing student in her class.

In 2023, Idoko also gained national recognition after emerging as the National Debate Champion at the Amnesty International Intervarsity Debate Championship. She led her institution to victory against top universities, including the University of Ibadan and the University of Benin.

Her latest achievement at the Nigerian Law School further reinforces her track record of excellence and intellectual distinction.

Colleagues and well-wishers have since congratulated her, describing her success as well-deserved and inspirational, particularly to young people across Benue State and beyond.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, has taken a swipe at US President Donald Trump, accusing him of making inconsistent and excessive statements amid rising tensions between both countries.

Khatibzadeh reportedly dismissed Trump’s recent remarks suggesting the United States could “start dropping bombs again” if no agreement is reached with Iran by Wednesday.

“The US president talks too much,” Khatibzadeh said, adding that Trump’s comments lacked clarity.

He said contradictory things within the same statement. I don’t know exactly what he meant.”

saintruky:
Wetin the duo dey find go there.... Another person no dey... Politicians dey ever belleful?

Checkwell:
Ned, e don do. Allow another person to represent.

Pope Leo XIV showed his closeness to the patients and staff of the Saint Paul Catholic Hospital in Douala, Cameroon, with a brief private visit on Friday, April 17.

After a moment of reflection in the Hospital’s chapel, the Pope briefly greeted those present in the courtyard and expressed his hope that this visit might be a sign of consolation in their lives.

He imparted his blessing on everyone present and their loved ones, before visiting some patients in their rooms, in particular children and the elderly.

American model Carrie Prejean Boller has sparked controversy after describing Israel as a “terrorist state” during a public appearance, according to widely circulated social media posts.

The remarks from the Former Miss California and Trump supporter have drawn sharp reactions online, with supporters praising her stance while critics condemned the statement as inflammatory. The comments come amid heightened global tensions and polarised debate over Israel’s military actions in Gaza and the broader Middle East conflict.

Public figures in the United States and elsewhere have increasingly voiced strong opinions on the war, reflecting deep divisions in international public opinion and political discourse.