The Israeli military said on April 21, 2026, that its troops replaced a damaged statue of Jesus in the southern Lebanese village of Debel, after an Israeli soldier was photographed striking the Christian religious icon while another soldier documented the act. The IDF said the replacement was coordinated with the local community and that the soldiers involved were removed from combat duty and given 30 days of military detention.
The Israel Defense Forces said it replaced a damaged statue of Jesus in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, after a photograph circulated showing an Israeli soldier striking the statue while another soldier filmed or photographed the act.
In a statement posted on X, the military said the statue was replaced “a short while ago” in “full coordination” with Debel’s local community and that the IDF’s Northern Command began coordinating the replacement as soon as it received the report of the incident.
The IDF said it “expresses deep regret” and described the incident as a “moral failure,” adding that the conduct shown in the image was inconsistent with the army’s orders and values. The military said the soldier who damaged the Christian symbol and the soldier who documented it were removed from combat duty and each sentenced to 30 days of military detention.
The IDF also said six other troops who were present did not intervene or report the incident and would be summoned for clarification discussions, and that procedures regarding conduct around religious institutions and symbols would be reinforced.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the incident, saying he was “stunned and saddened” and that the military would take harsh disciplinary action. Israel’s foreign minister, Gideon Saar, also apologized for the episode, calling it “grave and disgraceful” and apologizing to Christians who were hurt by it.
