2 Israeli Soldiers Jailed for Smashing Jesus Statue in Lebanon Village

Two Israeli soldiers jailed over smashing of Jesus statue in Lebanon village. (Photo: X/@CNNBrasil)

Two Israel Defense Forces soldiers have been removed from combat duty and jailed for 30 days after one smashed a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon while the other filmed the act, The Guardian reported.

An image shared on social media showed a soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a crucified Jesus statue in a Chrian village near the Israeli border. The incident sparked anger among Chrian communities worldwide.

After verifying the image, the military opened an investigation and said the soldiers’ actions “completely deviated from IDF orders and values”. Both soldiers were taken off combat duty and sentenced to military prison.

The investigation also found that six other troops were present but did not intervene. “The remaining troops who stood have been summoned for clarification discussions,” the army said, adding that further action may follow.

The military said it had reinforced instructions on respecting religious sites and symbols. It also shared an image of a replacement crucifix, saying it had been installed “in full coordination with the local community”.Story continues below this ad

Residents said the statue stood outside a home in Debel, a Chrian village where some civilians have remained despite the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah.

Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” the incident, while Foreign Miner Gideon Saar apologised “to every Chrian whose feelings were hurt”.

The act drew condemnation from church leaders. Pierbatta Pizzaballa expressed “deep indignation” and “unreserved condemnation”, calling it a “grave affront to the Chrian faith”.

Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia criticised the act, saying: “Jesus went to southern Lebanon not to destroy, but to heal and perform miracles.”Story continues below this ad

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, said “swift, severe, and public consequences are needed”.

Rights groups say such punishments are uncommon. A 2025 report Action on Armed Violence found that 88% of alleged misconduct cases involving Israeli forces in Gaza and the West Bank were closed or left unresolved.

Chrians make up about a third of Lebanon’s population of around 5.5 million. Many have been displaced from southern areas since the conflict escalated in March, Lebanese authorities say.