The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has announced disciplinary action against soldiers involved in the vandalism of a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon, an incident that sparked international condemnation after images circulated online.
Two soldiers—one who struck the statue with a sledgehammer and another who photographed the act—will each serve 30 days of military detention and be removed from combat duty, according to an IDF statement. Six additional soldiers present at the scene, who failed to intervene or report the vandalism, face separate disciplinary proceedings.
"The soldiers' conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values," the military stated, expressing "deep regret over the incident."
The statue, located on a crucifix outside a family home in the village of Debel, was damaged during ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. Debel is among the few villages where residents have remained despite the conflict. The IDF reported that troops have since replaced the statue "in full co-ordination with the local community."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "stunned and saddened" by the event, extending regret "for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world." The U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called for "swift, severe, and public consequences" following what he described as an "outrageous act."
Father Fadi Flaifel, head of Debel's congregation, condemned the vandalism, stating: "We totally reject the desecration of the cross, our sacred symbol, and all religious symbols. It goes against the declaration of human rights, and it doesn't reflect civility." He noted that similar incidents had occurred previously.
The IDF emphasized that its operations in Lebanon are directed "solely" against Hezbollah and other militant groups, not civilians. This incident comes amid a fragile U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which has paused six weeks of fighting but has seen accusations of violations from both sides.