A photograph showing an Israeli soldier operating in southern Lebanon striking the head of a Jesus statue with a hammer has been released, sparking controversy.
According to AFP on Thursday (local time), the Israeli military confirmed that the photo circulating on social media was authentic and said appropriate measures would be taken.
The photograph shows an Israeli soldier using a large hammer to strike the head of a Jesus statue that had been separated from its cross and was lying on the ground. The statue is located in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon near the Israeli border, and the extent of the damage has not been confirmed.
On its official X account, formerly Twitter, the Israeli military said, "We view this incident seriously, and this action was an arbitrary act that does not align with the values of the Israeli military at all." It added, "The Northern Command is investigating the incident, and it is being handled through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved."
The military also said, "We are working with the local community to restore the Jesus statue to its original location," adding, "The Israeli military is carrying out work to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure built by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of damaging civilian infrastructure, including religious facilities or religious symbols."
