The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched an investigation into one of its soldiers accused of vandalising a Christian religious symbol in southern Lebanon, describing the act as a serious violation of military values.
In a statement posted on X, the IDF confirmed the authenticity of a viral image showing a soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer. The military stressed that the conduct was “wholly inconsistent” with the standards expected of its personnel.
According to the IDF, the case is being handled by its Northern Command and is undergoing a formal review through the military chain of command. It added that appropriate disciplinary measures would be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
The military also said it is working to support the affected community in restoring the damaged statue, reiterating that its operations do not target civilian or religious infrastructure. It maintained that its mission in southern Lebanon is focused on dismantling militant networks linked to Hezbollah.
The controversy erupted after Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi shared the image online, triggering widespread outrage. The incident is reported to have occurred near the town of Dibil in the Bint Jbeil District, a Christian-majority area close to the Israeli border.
Local community members expressed distress, with the town’s official page posting an image of the damaged statue alongside a biblical message calling for forgiveness.
The incident has drawn international reactions, including criticism from former U.S. lawmakers Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz, both of whom condemned the act.
The development adds to ongoing concerns about the impact of military operations on religious and cultural sites in the region, particularly amid Israel’s campaigns involving Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
