21.4.2026
Two Israeli soldiers involved in the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, with receive 30 days detention for their acts of impunity.
The Israeli military said on Tuesday the two soldiers will be punished and six others who were present and did not stop them from committing the sacrilege will be queried
The decision comes after widespread condemnation of a photo shared online showing an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen off a cross.
“The soldier who damaged the Christian symbol and the soldier who photographed the act will be removed from combat duty and will receive 30 days of military detention,” said the Israeli military.
It said six additional soldiers who “were present at the scene and did not act to stop the incident or report it” had been summoned for “clarification discussions.”
“The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values,” the military statement said.
It added that “its operations in Lebanon are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and other terrorist groups and not against Lebanese civilians.”
In a post on X, the Israeli military said the damaged sculpture in Debl was replaced by troops “in full coordination with the local community,” sharing a photo of a new crucifix statue.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said on Monday he was “stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon,” vowing “harsh disciplinary action against the offender.” Euronews