Two Israeli soldiers face 30 days detention and removal from combat duty for destroying a Jesus statue in south Lebanon, sparking widespread condemnation.
JERUSALEM: The Israeli military has sentenced two soldiers to 30 days of military detention for destroying a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.
Both soldiers will also be removed from combat duty following an inquiry into the incident, which drew widespread condemnation.
The decision comes after a photo circulated online showing a soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a fallen crucifix statue. The sculpture was located in the Christian village of Debl, near the border with Israel.
“The soldier who damaged the Christian symbol and the soldier who photographed the act will be removed from combat duty and will receive 30 days of military detention,” the military stated. Six additional soldiers present at the scene have been summoned for clarification discussions for failing to stop or report the act.
“The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values,” the military statement said. It emphasised that Israeli “operations in Lebanon are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organisation and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier expressed he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident. He vowed “harsh disciplinary action against the offender.”
In a post on X, the Israeli military stated the damaged sculpture in Debl was replaced by troops “in full coordination with the local community.” It shared a photo of the new crucifix statue.
The incident occurred amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel launched airstrikes and a ground invasion after Hezbollah entered the Middle East war in support of Iran.
The fighting has killed more than 2,400 people and displaced more than a million. The death toll continues to rise as more bodies are recovered from rubble, despite a ceasefire taking effect last week.
Israel has lost 15 soldiers in the war.
