Photo: Alamy
The Israeli Defense Forces have reported their findings of an inquiry into the conduct of an IDF soldier who allegedly damaged a statue of Jesus Christ in Southern Lebanon amid combat between the two countries.
“Six additional soldiers were present at the scene and did not act to stop the incident or report it,” the IDF said in a statement. “The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values.”
The soldier who engaged in the act of destruction will be removed from combat duty, the IDF announced, and will additionally serve 30 days of military detention.
The soldier who photographed the act will receive the same punishment, per the IDF’s statement.
“The remaining troops who stood by have been summoned for clarification discussions that will be held later on, after which further command-level measures will be determined,” the IDF further noted.
The high-level inquiry comes just days after a shockingly offensive photograph surfaced online, depicting an unidentified IDF soldier smashing the head of a statue of Jesus Christ, while operations in Southern Lebanon unfolded.
The photo generated considerable outrage and controversy online.
IDF International Spokesperson Nadav Shoshani condemned the alleged action of the soldier and promised in a statement over the weekend that an investigation would be initiated, “and if necessary, steps will be taken in accordance with the findings.”
Now that appropriate action has been taken, the IDF also announced that it had coordinated with the community of Debal in Southern Lebanon to replace the damaged statue of Christ.
“The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident,” the statement revealed. “The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future.”
The IDF also said that its operations in Lebanon “are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization and other terrorist groups, not against Lebanese civilians.”
The war between Israel and Lebanon, however, has been unquestionably brutal. Over 2,000 people in Lebanon have allegedly been killed in Israeli strikes over the past several weeks, according to reports, and more than one million people have been displaced.
Israel and Lebanon are currently under a 10-day ceasefire. The conflict between the two nations erupted violently amid the war with Iran, as Israel took advantage of the opportunity to go after Hezbollah terrorist networks, which are deeply rooted in the neighboring country.
However, amid this ceasefire – brokered largely by Secretary of State Marco Rubio – President Donald Trump has invited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to travel to the White House for potential peace talks.
“Whether people like Israel or not, they have proven to be a GREAT Ally of the United States of America,” President Trump fired off on Truth Social over the weekend. “They are Courageous, Bold, Loyal, and Smart, and, unlike others that have shown their true colors in a moment of conflict and stress, Israel fights hard, and knows how to WIN!”
