The Israeli military has said it will detain two soldiers for 30 days and remove them from combat duty after they were found responsible for damaging a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon.
The decision follows an internal investigation into an incident in which a video circulated online showed an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a crucifix statue located in the Christian village of Debl, near the Israeli border.
According to the military statement, the soldier who damaged the statue and another who recorded the act will both be removed from combat roles and face military detention. Six additional soldiers who were present but did not intervene or report the incident have been called for disciplinary review.
The Israeli army said the conduct “completely deviated from orders and values,” adding that its operations in Lebanon are directed against armed groups and not civilians.
The military also stated that the damaged religious symbol was later replaced in coordination with the local community and shared an image of a new crucifix installed at the site.
The incident comes amid ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon following cross-border conflict involving Hezbollah, which has caused widespread casualties and displacement in the region.