Israeli Military Probes Soldier Over Desecration of Virgin Mary Statue in Lebanon

The Israeli military has opened an investigation after a photograph circulated online allegedly showing one of its soldiers desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon.

According to reports published on Wednesday, the image showed the soldier placing a cigarette in the mouth of the statue while also smoking.

The military described the matter as serious and vowed to take action against the soldier. The Times of Israel reported that the army viewed the “incident gravely”.

Preliminary findings indicated that the photograph was taken several weeks ago in Debel, a Christian-majority village in southern Lebanon. However, the image only surfaced online on Wednesday.

The development has added to growing accusations of misconduct by Israeli troops in southern Lebanon. Last month, another Israeli soldier was reportedly photographed damaging a statue of Jesus in the same community.

Lebanese media outlets also alleged that Israeli troops destroyed solar panels used to power the town’s water supply system. Reports further claimed that homes, roads and olive trees in the area were damaged.

The latest controversy comes amid intensified Israeli military operations in Lebanon. Israeli forces have carried out repeated attacks in Beirut and other parts of the country. Israel said the operations target Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure.

Israeli troops still maintain a presence in parts of southern Lebanon. Residents and officials in the area have expressed concern over widespread destruction in communities affected by the conflict.

Meanwhile, concerns have continued to mount over reported attacks against Christians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

Religious organisations have documented incidents involving harassment and violence against Christian pilgrims, clergy members and Palestinian Christians. Some of the reported attacks allegedly involved ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students.

One incident involved a French nun near Jerusalem’s Old City last month. Video footage reportedly showed a man pushing the nun to the ground, causing a head injury, before returning to kick her while she was on the ground.

Israeli police later announced the arrest of a 36-year-old suspect after the video drew international attention.

Following criticism over the destruction of the Jesus statue in Debel, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act. The two soldiers involved were removed from combat duties and sentenced to 30 days in prison.

In another incident in March, Netanyahu’s office apologised after Israeli police prevented Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Pierbattista Pizzaballa from accessing the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to lead Palm Sunday mass.

Observers say disciplinary measures against Israeli soldiers remain uncommon despite repeated allegations involving military conduct.

The report also referenced the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was shot dead during an Israeli military operation in the occupied West Bank in 2022.

In Gaza, several religious sites have suffered destruction during the war. These include the historic Great Omari Mosque and Saint Porphyrius Church, one of the oldest churches in the world.