Two Israeli soldiers have been sentenced to 30 days in military prison and removed from combat duty after one used a sledgehammer to destroy a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed. The incident, which occurred in the Christian village of Debel, was filmed by the second soldier and sparked outrage among Christian communities worldwide.
The IDF investigation concluded that the soldiers' conduct 'completely deviated from IDF orders and values'. The military stated that six other troops present at the scene failed to intervene or report the act, and will face further disciplinary measures. The punishment is relatively rare, as rights groups note that Israel has closed or left unresolved 88% of alleged misconduct cases in Gaza and the West Bank.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was 'stunned and saddened' by the incident, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar apologised to Christians. The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, expressed 'deep indignation', calling the act a 'grave affront to the Christian faith'. The IDF later replaced the statue with a smaller crucifix, coordinated with the local community.
Christians make up about a third of Lebanon's population. The incident occurred amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, which has displaced thousands and killed over 2,290 people since March, according to Lebanese authorities.
