Two Israeli soldiers have been sentenced to military prison after a cigarette was placed in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, an act that sparked widespread outrage. The incident, which occurred during Israel's ground invasion targeting Hezbollah, was condemned by the Israeli military, which emphasized its respect for religious freedom.
Details of the Incident
One soldier placed a cigarette in the statue's mouth while another photographed the act. The image, showing the soldier with a cigarette dangling from his own mouth, went viral, drawing condemnation from Christian leaders and Israeli politicians alike. The military sentenced the posing soldier to 21 days in prison and the photographer to 14 days.
Broader Context
This incident follows a similar desecration days earlier, where an Israeli soldier was filmed wielding an axe against a fallen statue of Jesus in the village of Debel. Those soldiers were also sentenced to military prison. Israeli forces have been operating in southern Lebanon since March 2, when the Israel-Hezbollah war began following missile attacks by the Iran-backed group. Despite a truce, Israeli troops remain in the area.
The military stated that it only targets buildings used by Hezbollah, but the scale of destruction has raised concerns among Lebanese officials and residents that displaced people may have no homes to return to if the truce holds. Additionally, the military reported the death of a soldier driver near the border, the 18th such casualty since the start of the Iran war.
