The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has opened an investigation into a soldier accused of destroying a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, condemning the act as a serious violation of military values..
In a statement shared on X on Sunday, the IDF confirmed the authenticity of a viral image showing the soldier striking the Christian symbol with a hammer.
“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the military said.
According to the statement, the case is being handled by the Northern Command through the appropriate chain of command, with assurances that disciplinary action will follow based on the outcome of the investigation.
“The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings,” it added.
The military also said efforts are underway to support the affected community in restoring the damaged statue, stressing that it does not target civilian or religious infrastructure.
“The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or symbols,” the statement noted.
The controversy erupted after Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi shared the image online, triggering widespread outrage across social media.
Tirawi reported that the incident occurred in southern Lebanon, while a local community page identified the location as near Dibil, a Christian-majority town in the Bint Jbeil District close to the Israeli border.
The official Dibil community page also posted an image of the damaged statue alongside the biblical verse, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” reflecting the grief and shock within the community.
The incident has drawn condemnation from several international figures. Former U.S. congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene criticised continued American support for Israel, while former lawmaker Matt Gaetz described the act as “horrific.”
The development adds to mounting concerns over the impact of Israeli military operations on religious sites in the region.
In 2023, an Israeli airstrike struck a building near the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza, killing at least 18 people. In 2025, shrapnel from an Israeli tank shell hit the Holy Family Church—Gaza’s only Catholic church—resulting in three deaths.
The latest incident in southern Lebanon has further intensified scrutiny of military conduct in conflict zones, particularly regarding the protection of religious and cultural heritage.
