Israel Confirms Incident Of IDF Soldier Destroying Jesus Statue In Lebanon, Vows Action

Last Updated:April 20, 2026, 09:06 IST

After an initial review, the Israeli military said it had verified that the photograph indeed shows an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon

The Israel Defense Forces on Monday confirmed the authenticity of a widely circulated image showing one of its soldiers smashing a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, saying the incident is being treated with seriousness and disciplinary action will follow.

After an initial review, the military said it had verified that the photograph indeed shows an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasises that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops," the statement said.

The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is being addressed through the chain of command. The military added that appropriate measures would be taken against those involved, based on the findings of the probe.

The IDF also said the Northern Command would work with the local Christian community to restore the damaged statue to its original location.

The image, which spread rapidly across social media on Sunday afternoon, sparked widespread condemnation online, particularly among Christian groups in the region.

According to reports attributed to members of the Christian community, the incident is believed to have occurred in Debel, a Maronite Christian village in southern Lebanon, not far from the Israeli border. Residents from nearby Ain Ebel also expressed concern over the alleged act.

Reacting to the incident, Wadie Abunassar, coordinator of the Christian Forum in the Holy Land, said he had received the image from multiple sources and urged authorities to act decisively.

“It is impossible to remain silent in the face of such violations," he said, calling for a thorough verification of the incident and accountability if the act is conclusively established.

News world Israel Confirms Incident Of IDF Soldier Destroying Jesus Statue In Lebanon, Vows Action

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