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The Israeli army said Monday it has confirmed the authenticity of an image circulating on social media that appears to show one of its soldiers damaging a statue of Jesus Christ in south Lebanon.

 

The image shows a soldier striking the head of a fallen crucifix statue with a sledgehammer, reportedly in the Christian village of Debl near the Israeli border.

 

In a statement posted on X, the IDF said it viewed the incident with "great severity," adding that the soldier’s actions were "wholly inconsistent" with the values expected of its troops. 

 

The case is being investigated by the army’s Northern Command and is being handled through the chain of command. The military said appropriate measures would be taken against those involved and added it is working with the local community to restore the statue.

 

Despite a ceasefire in Lebanon that came into force on Friday, Israeli forces remain in parts of the south following months of cross-border fighting with the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah.

 

Israeli leaders vow 'harsh action' over Jesus statue damage
 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday he was "stunned and saddened" about reports an Israeli soldier had damaged a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.

 

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) had confirmed an image showing a soldier striking the head of a fallen crucifix statue with a sledgehammer in the Christian village of Debl was genuine.

 

In a post on X, Netanyahu said he condemned the incident and said "authorities will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender." 

 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called it a "shameful and disgraceful" act, and said he was confident that severe measures will be taken. 

 

"We apologize for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt," he wrote on X.