Israeli Military Probes Own Soldier Over Jesus Statue Vandalism In Southern Lebanon

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has opened an investigation into a soldier accused of damaging a Christian religious symbol in southern Lebanon after a viral image showed him smashing a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer. The military described the act as a serious violation of its standards and values.

The IDF confirmed the authenticity of the image in a statement posted on X on Sunday. It said:

“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 army said the matter is already under review and has been escalated within its command structure.

“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,”

The military also stated that it is engaging efforts to assist in restoring the damaged statue. It insisted that its operations in southern Lebanon are not directed at religious or civilian sites.

“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 image first appeared online after Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi shared it, a development that triggered widespread reactions on social media. Tirawi said the incident took place in southern Lebanon. A local community page identified the site as the outskirts of Dibil, a Christian-majority town in the Bint Jbeil District near the Israeli border.

The official Dibil page also published a photo of the damaged statue alongside a biblical verse: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” reflecting the community’s grief over the incident.

International reactions followed. Former U.S. congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene criticised continued American support for Israel while sharing the image. She wrote, “Our greatest ally that takes billions of our tax dollars and weapons every year,”

Former U.S. lawmaker Matt Gaetz also reacted to the image and described it as “horrific.”

The incident has intensified scrutiny of military conduct in conflict areas, especially regarding the protection of religious and cultural heritage sites.

In earlier conflicts involving Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has faced similar criticism over damage linked to religious landmarks. In 2023, an Israeli airstrike struck a building next to the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza, which led to at least 18 deaths. In 2025, shrapnel from a tank shell hit the Holy Family Church, the only Catholic church in the enclave, and caused three deaths.