Israeli soldiers jailed after video shows desecration of Jesus statue in Lebanese village
Two Israeli soldiers have been removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in jail after footage showed one of them damaging a fallen statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said.
The incident, which circulated on social media earlier this week, showed a downed crucifix in the Christian village of Debel and a soldier appearing to strike its face while another recorded the act. The military said additional troops who were nearby but did not intervene have been summoned and could face further disciplinary action.
The armed forces said the statue has since been replaced in coordination with local residents and that rules governing conduct around religious sites and symbols have been reinforced for all troops operating in the area.
The military also noted that procedures were already in place regarding respect for religious institutions, but said they would be reiterated following the incident.
The episode sparked widespread criticism from religious and political figures. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called for swift and public consequences, while senior Israeli officials expressed condemnation and regret over the incident.
Church leaders in the region described the act as a serious offense against Christian symbols, noting ongoing concerns about similar incidents in conflict zones.
Residents in Debel said the statue had stood near a family home on the edge of the village, one of the few areas in southern Lebanon where civilians have remained despite ongoing conflict in the region.
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