Two Israeli Soldiers Jailed for Smashing Jesus Statue in Lebanese Christian Village
One soldier used a sledgehammer to smash the head of the crucifix statue after it had fallen from its cross. A second soldier photographed the act.
Tommy Flynn
JERUSALEM — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on April 21, 2026, removed two soldiers from combat duty and sentenced them to 30 days in military prison for vandalizing a statue of Jesus in the Maronite Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon.
One soldier used a sledgehammer to smash the head of the crucifix statue after it had fallen from its cross. A second soldier photographed the act. A photo of the incident circulated widely on social media, sparking international condemnation.
The IDF confirmed the image was authentic and launched an immediate investigation. It stated the soldiers’ conduct “completely deviated from IDF orders and values.” Six other troops present at the scene who did not intervene were summoned for questioning and could face disciplinary action.
The vandalism occurred in Debel, a predominantly Christian village near the Litani River in southern Lebanon, during IDF operations in the area tied to the ongoing conflict with Hezbollah. The IDF quickly replaced the damaged statue with a new one and expressed regret over the incident.
The military emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and contrary to its rules of engagement and respect for religious sites.
Join the Team
Are you trying to break into news writing but struggling to get published at major outlets? At RWT News, we're always looking for talented, motivated writers who share our commitment to straightforward, factual conservative journalism. If you believe in honest reporting and want real experience and bylines, we'd love to hear from you.
Visit our Join the Team page to learn more and contact us directly.