Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly condemned an Israeli soldier seen damaging a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” after images surfaced showing an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier apparently using a sledgehammer to damage a Catholic religious statue in Lebanon. The incident triggered criticism online and renewed concerns over respect for religious sites during military operations.
The image, which circulated over the weekend, is believed to have been taken in Debel, a southern Lebanese village where Israeli forces have been operating against Hezbollah militants. Hezbollah has launched repeated rocket attacks on Israel in support of Iran, leading to increased military activity near the border.
In a statement posted on X, Netanyahu condemned the act “in the strongest terms” and confirmed that military authorities had opened a criminal investigation. He added that disciplinary action would be taken against the soldier involved.
“We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world,” Netanyahu said.
The IDF also released a statement, saying the soldier’s conduct was inconsistent with the values expected of its troops. The military added that it is working with the local community to restore the damaged statue.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described the act as “grave and disgraceful” and apologized to Christians whose religious feelings were offended.
The controversy comes at a sensitive time as fighting continues along Israel’s northern border and global attention remains fixed on the wider Middle East conflict. Respect for religious symbols remains a major issue in the region.
The outcome of the investigation is expected to determine Israel’s next steps.
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