The IDF has confirmed it is investigating after footage emerged of a military bulldozer destroying civilian energy infrastructure in a Lebanese village.
The footage, CCTV from the scene aired by Israeli public broadcaster Kan, showed the bulldozer’s driver using its scoop to rip up the panels.
Another machine could also be seen damaging a truck that was parked nearby.
צה"ל פתח הערב בתחקיר בעקבות תיעוד שהופץ בסוף השבוע בלבנון שבו נראים כוחות צה"ל הורסים פאנלים סולארים בכפר הנוצרי דבל שבדרום לבנון - הריסה של תשתית אזרחית ללא כל צורך ובעוד שמאות מתושבי הכפר הנוצרי - לבנוני לא פונו מבתיהם באישור ישראלי.
החלקה, כך סיפר גורם בכפר לכאן חדשות, היתה… pic.twitter.com/jSrFi2J5Pf
According to Kan, the plot of land in the Christian village of Debel previously belonged to Colonel Akel al-Hashim, the commander of the South Lebanon Army – a defunct pro-Israel paramilitary formed of Christian, Druze and Shia militias during the Lebanese Civil War.
And Sky News reports that the panels were used to power the civilian grid in the village, as well as a nearby water pumping station.
"The actions seen in the video are not in line with the IDF's values and the conduct expected of its soldiers,” said an IDF spokesperson.
"The incident is under investigation. Based on its findings, command measures will be taken accordingly.”
It comes just days after two soldiers were dismissed and sentenced to 30 days each in military detention for their part in destroying a statue of Jesus in the same village.
A photo widely circulated on social media, showing one of the men taking an axe to the head of the sculpture, which had been torn down from its cross, generated international outrage.
Both Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar apologised for the soldiers’ conduct and commended the IDF for taking disciplinary action.
The military also said it had worked with the local community to replace the statue, sharing an image of the new crucifix.
In the wake of the row, Jerusalem confirmed the appointment of George Deek, who previously made history as Israel’s first Christian ambassador, as its inaugural special envoy to the Christian world.
Sa’ar announced the appointment last week, saying it was aimed at strengthening Israel’s ties with Christian communities globally.
"The State of Israel attaches great importance to its relations with the Christian world and with its Christian friends around the world,” he said.
"I am confident that George, a respected and experienced diplomat, will greatly contribute to the friendship and strengthening of the ties between the State of Israel and the Christian world.”
But it came at a time of strained relations between the communities following the statue incident and another controversy last month after Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and other senior clergy were prevented by police from attending Palm Sunday services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
Officers claimed the group ran afoul of wartime restrictions banning public gatherings, but the priests insisted they were attending for a small private mass.
Political and police leaders subsequently apologised to Pizzaballa, with Prime Minister Netanyahu pledging that he would be granted unrestricted access to holy sites.
Deek has taken up the role after returning home from a term as Israel’s ambassador to Azerbaijan.
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