Two soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces have been sentenced to 30 days in military detention after vandalising a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, an incident that has triggered strong condemnation and widespread outrage.
According to an official statement from the Israeli military, the incident took place in the Christian-majority village of Debel, where troops were operating as part of ongoing military activities.
Internal Probe Finds Axe Used To Damage Statue
An internal inquiry conducted by the Israel Defense Forces revealed that one soldier used an axe to damage the religious statue, while another recorded the act on video.
The investigation also found that several other soldiers present at the location neither intervened nor reported the misconduct, raising concerns about discipline and adherence to military conduct rules.
“The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values,” the military said, expressing “deep regret” over the incident.
In addition to being jailed, the two soldiers directly involved have been removed from combat duty, while other personnel present at the scene are under further questioning and may face disciplinary action.
IDF Condemns Incident, Calls It A ‘Moral Failure’
Senior leadership within the Israel Defense Forces condemned the act, describing it as a “moral failure” that violates the army’s code of conduct.
The military reiterated that its operations in southern Lebanon are focused on militant targets, not civilians or religious institutions.
Officials stated that military operations in the region are “directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians.”
The army also confirmed that steps are being taken to assist the local community in replacing the damaged statue.
Incident Surfaced After Photo Circulated Online
The controversy came to light after an image circulated widely on social media showing a soldier striking a fallen crucifix with the blunt side of an axe.
The photograph was shared by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi and later verified by Reuters.
The viral image intensified public criticism and renewed attention on military conduct during operations in religiously sensitive regions.
Context: Ongoing Conflict In Southern Lebanon
The incident occurred amid an ongoing military campaign by Israel Defense Forces in southern Lebanon against the militant group Hezbollah.
The campaign began in early March, following a series of cross-border hostilities, and has since drawn regional and international scrutiny.
The statue vandalism has further heightened tensions, particularly given the religious significance of the affected community.