The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement regarding a viral photograph depicting a soldier smashing the head of a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.

“The IDF said that it would investigate, confirming on Sunday evening that the image was genuine,” The Jerusalem Post stated.

“Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon. The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the IDF stated.

“The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings. Furthermore, the IDF is working to assist the community in restoring the statue to its place,” it continued.

“The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols,” the IDF added.

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View the viral image from the alleged incident below:

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According to reports attributed to members of the Christian community in the village of Ain Ebel in the central sector of southern Lebanon, the alleged incident took place in Debel, a Maronite Christian village about six kilometers to the northwest and roughly five kilometers northeast of the Israeli border community of Shtula.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Monday post on X/Twitter, stated that he was “stunned and saddened” to learn of the incident.

“As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region,” Netanyahu said.

“Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon. I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender,” he continued.

“While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims, the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East. Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing. Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all. We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world,” Netanyahu added.

“The damaging of a Christian religious symbol by an IDF soldier in southern Lebanon is grave and disgraceful. I commend the IDF for its statement, for condemning the incident, and for conducting an investigation into the matter. I’m confident that the necessary strict measures will be taken against whoever carried out this ugly act,” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar commented.

“This shameful action is completely contrary to our values. Israel is a country that respects the different religions and their sacred symbols, and upholds tolerance and respect among faiths. We apologize for this incident and to every Christian whose feelings were hurt,” he continued.

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NBC News shared further:

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said in a post on X that “swift, severe, & public consequences are needed” for what he called an “outrageous act.”

The incident comes amid a 10-day U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Israel invaded southern Lebanon and has attacked the country from the air after strikes by the country’s Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

The Israeli operation has displaced more than 1 million people, and killed nearly 2,300, according to Lebanese officials.

Alongside the photo of the incident, Tirawi said a local page from the Christian border town of Debel mentioned that the statue belonged to them. Reuters spoke to a local priest, Fadi Falfel, who said the cross was part of a small shrine in the garden of a family living on the edge of the village.

“One of the Israeli soldiers broke the cross and did this horrible thing, this desecration of our holy symbols,” he said.

Residents had largely remained in the village throughout the Israeli campaign in southern Lebanon, Reuters reported.

Nearly a third of Lebanon’s population is Christian, according to the State Department, citing Statistics Lebanon, an independent polling and research firm.

 

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