Israel jails two soldiers who damaged and photographed a Jesus statue in Lebanon

Israel Jails Two Soldiers for Damaging and Photographing a Jesus Statue in Lebanon

Israeli troops involved in damaging a depiction of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon and capturing images of the act have been placed on administrative leave and face 30 days of military detention, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed. Six other soldiers present during the event but unresponsive to the incident will attend “clarification sessions” scheduled for a later date. The IDF indicated that further disciplinary actions could be implemented against those involved.

A social media image shared on Sunday depicted an Israeli soldier using what looked like a hammer or axe against a statue of the crucified Jesus in Debel, a mainly Christian community. The photo suggested the soldier struck the figure’s head after it was detached from the cross. Maroun Nassif, the town’s deputy mayor, expressed to CNN that this was “a strike against our sacred faith.” The IDF launched an inquiry into the incident, labeling the soldiers’ conduct as “completely at odds with the values expected of its troops.”

“I strongly condemn the act,” stated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Monday address. “This attack on a religious symbol has left me deeply unsettled.”

By Tuesday, the IDF announced they had “fully coordinated” with Debel’s residents to install a new Jesus statue. The replacement figure, constructed from metal and mounted on a cross, was unveiled. The military emphasized their regret over the event and pledged efforts to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Wadih El Khazen, a former Lebanese tourism minister and Maronite Christian leader, urged for “global measures to hold all offenders accountable.” On Monday, he told NNA, Lebanon’s state news agency, “The historical account of the Lebanon conflict is unrelenting, and it compels us to safeguard civilians, oppose all forms of prejudice and violence, and strive for a just, enduring peace.”

Debel, one of 55 Lebanese settlements in the southern region currently under Israeli control, lies about four miles west of Bint Jbeil. The IDF has encircled this town, aiming to eliminate what it identifies as a Hezbollah stronghold.