The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it replaced a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon that was damaged by some of its soldiers.
“A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, IDF troops replaced the damaged statue. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement from the moment it received the report of the incident,” the IDF stated.
“The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident and is working to ensure it does not happen again,” it added.
Additionally, soldiers responsible for breaking the statue were sentenced to 30 days of military detention. Six other soldiers who witnessed the incident but did not intervene or report it will be summoned for “clarification discussions” later, with the IDF indicating potential command-level measures could be taken.
A photograph appeared showing an Israeli soldier wielding what appears to be a hammer or axe against a crucified Jesus Christ figure in the predominantly Christian town of Debel. The image reportedly depicted the soldier striking the head of the figure after it had been removed from the cross.
Maroun Nassif, deputy head of the municipality, said the incident constituted “an attack on our sacred beliefs.”
The IDF opened an investigation into the photograph, describing the soldiers’ actions as “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the attack on religious symbols and condemned it in the strongest terms.
“The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and will be addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved, and the IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue,” the IDF stated.
“The IDF operates to dismantle terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or symbols,” it added.
The desecration drew condemnation from Lebanese officials and international figures, including leaders linked to the Vatican. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, voiced “deep indignation” and “unreserved condemnation.” In a statement signed by Pizzaballa, the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries of the Holy Land described the act as a “grave affront to the Christian faith.”
Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia remarked: “I would like to point out to Benjamin Netanyahu that Jesus himself went to Tyre and Sidon in southern Lebanon. But he did not go there to kill; he went to multiply bread, to heal, to perform miracles – not to destroy.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, stated that “swift, severe, and public consequences are needed.” Rightwing commentators in the U.S. also quickly reacted, with Matt Gaetz calling the image “horrific.”
Christians constitute about one-third of Lebanon’s population of approximately 5.5 million people. Thousands were displaced from their homes in southern Lebanon during Israel’s military campaign launched on March 2, which has killed 2,290 people, including 177 children and 100 healthcare workers, according to Lebanese authorities.