The Israeli army is dealing with the matter “with the utmost severity”. The Israeli army has confirmed the authenticity of an image circulating on social media showing a soldier striking a statue of Jesus Christ with a hammer in southern Lebanon.
“At the end of an initial examination […] it was established that this photograph shows a soldier from the Israeli forces on a mission in southern Lebanon,” the army wrote late Monday, April 20, on its X account, after opening an investigation the day before. “Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved, in accordance with the investigation findings,” added the army, assuring that the matter is being treated with “the utmost severity.”
Israeli Foreign Ministry Minister Gideon Saar condemned the act as “shameful and degrading.” “I am convinced that necessary severe measures will be taken against the perpetrators of this despicable act,” he wrote on X. “We apologize for this incident and to all Christians whose feelings have been hurt.”
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani announced that the army was examining the authenticity of the image. The image shows an Israeli soldier using a hammer to strike the head of a statue of crucified Jesus fallen from the cross.
Arab media outlets claimed that the statue was located in the Christian village of Debl in southern Lebanon, near the border with Israel. The Debl municipality told AFP that the statue was indeed in the village but could not confirm if it had been damaged.
The Israeli army reiterated its commitment to “assist the community in restoring the statue” and stated they had “no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or symbols.” Israeli troops remained in the area and reportedly demolished new houses on Sunday, according to the Lebanese Official News Agency, ANI.
Israel took control of several sectors in southern Lebanon, a stronghold of Hezbollah, after the pro-Iranian movement attacked Israel on March 2 in retaliation for the Israeli-American offensive against Iran. A ceasefire was in effect on Friday, April 17 in Lebanon, but violations have been reported.
[Context: The Israeli army is facing backlash for an image of a soldier hitting a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon.] [Fact Check: The content includes statements from Israeli officials condemning the act and promising severe measures against those involved.]
