An image of an Israeli soldier punching a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon has been widely shared on social media, sparking a backlash, with the Israeli military confirming on Monday that the photo is authentic.
In the video, an Israeli soldier appears to be using a hammer to hit the head of a statue of Jesus.
The sculpture is located in the Christian village of Debl in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel, the local municipality told AFP, but officials could not confirm whether the statue had been damaged.
The Israeli soldier destroying the statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon
The Israeli army says the incident will be investigated without giving details on the soldier’s identity or possible disciplinary action pic.twitter.com/qFdFgzyyM8
— Tannie تاني (@putin_76) April 20, 2026
The Israeli army said on its official X account that it was taking the incident “extremely seriously”, adding that the soldier’s behavior was “completely contrary to the values expected of its members”.
– After completing a preliminary check of the photo published earlier today, which shows an Israeli soldier damaging a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photo shows a member of the IDF operating in southern Lebanon – the army said.
The incident is being investigated by Northern Command and is currently being “processed through the chain of command,” the statement added.
The army said that “appropriate measures will be taken against those involved”, but did not go into details.
It was also announced that they are working with the local community to “return the statue to its place”.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar condemned the event, calling it “shameful and scandalous”.
– I am sure that strict measures will be taken against whoever committed this ugly act – he wrote on Xu.
“We apologize for this incident and to all Christians whose emotions were hurt.”
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East conflict in early March when the Iranian-backed Hezbollah armed group launched rockets at Israel in support of Iran.
Israel responded with massive attacks across Lebanon and a ground invasion of the south of the country.
Israeli troops remain present in southern Lebanon despite a ceasefire between the two countries that took effect on Friday.
(Vijesti.ba)
