The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that two soldiers will serve 30 days in military detention and be removed from combat duty for destroying a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon. The decision follows an internal inquiry into an incident that drew widespread condemnation after a photo circulated online showing a soldier striking the head of a crucifix statue with a sledgehammer.
The statue was located in the Christian village of Debl, near the Israeli border. The military stated that the soldier who damaged the religious symbol and the soldier who photographed the act will both face disciplinary measures. Six additional soldiers who were present and did not intervene or report the incident have been summoned for clarification discussions.
Netanyahu Responds
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he was “stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon,” and vowed “harsh disciplinary action against the offender.” His remarks underscored the sensitivity of the act, which risked inflaming tensions in a region already scarred by conflict.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Lebanon, which began after Hezbollah entered the broader Middle East conflict in support of Iran on 2 March. The fighting has killed more than 2,400 people and displaced over 1 million, with the death toll continuing to rise even after a ceasefire took effect last week as more bodies are recovered from rubble. Israel has lost 15 soldiers in the fighting.
The military’s inquiry concluded that the soldiers’ conduct “completely deviated from IDF orders and values.” In a statement, the military emphasized that its operations in Lebanon are directed solely against Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, 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. The move appeared aimed at mitigating local anger and demonstrating respect for religious sites.
The vandalism has drawn attention to the fragile situation in southern Lebanon, where French President Emmanuel Macron recently hosted the Lebanese Prime Minister to discuss ceasefire strains and rising Israeli tensions. The incident also highlights the challenges faced by international peacekeepers, including Indonesian UNIFIL forces, who have suffered fatalities in the region.
For European observers, the episode underscores the broader instability along Israel’s northern border and the potential for localized incidents to escalate into wider diplomatic crises. The European Union has consistently called for restraint and respect for international law, including the protection of religious and cultural heritage.
