IDF soldier vandalises Jesus statue in Lebanon, prompting military probe
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An Israeli soldier has been caught vandalising a statue of Jesus Christ in a Christian town in southern Lebanon, an act the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has confirmed as authentic and condemned as a violation of its values.
The image, which went viral on social media, shows the soldier damaging the statue in Debel. It was first posted by Palestinian reporter Younis Tirawi on X, alongside a pre-damage photo and the biblical verse: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Online backlash was swift, with users decrying the disrespect and impunity. “You don't have to be Christian to see what this represents: disrespect, dehumanisation, and impunity,” one commented, while another called it “disgusting” and deliberate.
IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani initially said the military was verifying the photo. In a follow-up on X, the IDF confirmed its authenticity, stating it depicted a soldier harming a Christian symbol during operations in southern Lebanon. The force views the incident with “great severity” and has launched an investigation via its Northern Command.
Appropriate action will follow the findings, the IDF pledged, adding it would help restore the statue and emphasising that its operations target Hezbollah infrastructure, not civilian or religious sites.