Israeli Soldier Accused of Damaging Jesus Statue in Lebanon

Israeli Military Confirms Destruction of Statue in Lebanon

A photograph showing an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon with a sledgehammer has been widely shared online, garnering over 5 million views on X. The image was confirmed by the Israeli military as authentic, and it appears to show an Israeli soldier operating in southern Lebanon.

According to the military, an investigation has been opened into the incident, and “appropriate measures will be taken against those involved” based on the findings. Ayman Odeh, a Palestinian member of the Israeli parliament, commented on social media that he would wait for the police spokesperson’s explanation for the soldier’s actions.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Tibi, another Palestinian member of the Knesset, expressed outrage over the desecration of the statue and criticized the international silence surrounding attacks by Israeli soldiers and settlers against religious sites and symbols. He noted that similar incidents have occurred in Gaza and Jerusalem, including vandalism and assaults on mosques and churches.

The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of religious minorities in Israel and Palestine. According to data from the Religious Freedom Data Center (RFDC), there were at least 201 documented incidents of violence against Christians between January 2024 and September 2025, primarily committed by Orthodox Jews targeting international clergy or individuals displaying Christian symbols.

Separately, the Palestinian Authority reported that settlers vandalized or attacked 45 mosques in the occupied West Bank last year. The Israeli military has repeatedly been accused of attacking religious sites during its operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

Source: Al Jazeera