Israeli Army Confirms Soldier Damaged Jesus Statue

The Israeli army said on Monday that it had verified the authenticity of an image circulating on social media showing a soldier in southern Lebanon striking a statue of Jesus Christ, confirming that it depicts one of its troops.

The photograph appears to show the soldier using a sledgehammer to hit the head of a statue of the crucified Jesus after it had fallen from a cross.

Arab media reported that the statue was located in the predominantly Christian village of Debl near the Israeli border.

Maroun Nassif, the deputy mayor of Debl, said: “We certainly condemn this shameful act because it offends our religious feelings and is an attack on our sacred beliefs.”

In a post on its official X account, the Israeli army said it viewed the incident with “great severity” and that the soldier’s conduct was “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”.

“Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon”, the military said.

The case is being investigated by the Northern Command and is being addressed through the chain of command. The army said “appropriate measures will be taken against those involved” but did not provide further details.

It added that it is working with the local community to restore the statue.

Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war in early March when Iran-backed Hezbollah launched rockets towards Israel. Israel responded with extensive strikes and a ground operation in the south.

Israeli troops have remained in the area despite a ceasefire between the two countries that entered into force on Friday.