Italian Peacekeepers Replace Crucifix Damaged by Israeli Soldiers in Lebanon — Soldiers Punished, Jailed Over Jesus Statue Vandalism
Italian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) replaced a crucifix at a Maronite church in the southern Lebanese town of Kfar Kila after it was damaged by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement released by UNIFIL on April 5, 2026. The crucifix, located outside the Church of St. George, had been toppled and defaced during an Israeli military operation in the area on March 28, 2026, when soldiers entered the church grounds and caused damage to religious symbols.
UNIFIL confirmed that its personnel carried out the restoration work on April 4, 2026, reinstalling the crucifix after it was repaired by local artisans. The peacekeeping mission stated that the act was part of its mandate to protect cultural and religious sites in its area of operations and to support the local population following incidents of damage during hostilities.
The incident involving the crucifix was one of several reported cases of damage to Christian religious sites in southern Lebanon during Israeli military operations in late March 2026. On March 30, 2026, the Israeli military announced that two soldiers had been disciplined for their involvement in the vandalism of a statue of Jesus Christ in the same region. The soldiers were identified as having taken photographs with the damaged statue and shared them on social media, prompting an internal investigation.
Following the investigation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on April 1, 2026, that the two soldiers had been sentenced to 20 days in military detention and demoted in rank for violating IDF conduct codes regarding respect for religious sites and local populations. The IDF stated that the soldiers’ actions did not reflect official policy and emphasized its commitment to upholding international humanitarian law.
UNIFIL’s replacement of the crucifix occurred amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, where cross-border exchanges have increased since the resumption of hostilities in October 2025. The peacekeeping mission, which has maintained a presence in southern Lebanon since 1978, continues to monitor the Blue Line and facilitate de-escalation efforts between the Israeli military and Lebanese armed groups.
The Maronite Church in Kfar Kila, which serves a predominantly Christian congregation, has reported multiple incidents of property damage during recent Israeli operations, including broken windows and damaged walls. Local residents and church officials have called for greater protection of religious sites during military activities, citing concerns over the long-term impact on intercommunal relations in the region.
As of April 8, 2026, UNIFIL has not issued any further public statements regarding additional incidents of damage to religious sites in its area of operations. The mission continues to conduct regular patrols and coordinate with Lebanese authorities and community leaders to assess needs and support recovery efforts in affected villages.