The Israeli soldier who hit a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Lebanon and the soldier who photographed the incident will receive 30 days of military detention, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said. The IDF also stated that the two soldiers - who have not been named - would be 'removed from combat duty' following an inquiry. Another six soldiers who were at the scene and failed to intervene or report the incident will be dealt with separately.
The incident in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon prompted widespread condemnation after an image of it was widely shared online this week. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was 'stunned and saddened' by what happened. In its statement, the IDF said the inquiry had 'determined that the soldiers' conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values' and expressed 'deep regret over the incident'.
It also stated that IDF troops had replaced the damaged statue 'in full co-ordination with the local community' shortly after the incident. The IDF emphasized that their operations in Lebanon were 'solely' against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and not against Lebanese civilians.
The statue was reportedly on a crucifix outside a family home in Debel, a village where residents have largely remained amid the ongoing conflict. Father Fadi Flaifel, the head of the local congregation, condemned the destruction of the statue, calling it a desecration of a sacred symbol.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also condemned the act, calling for 'swift, severe, and public consequences' for those involved. This incident occurs amidst an ongoing military campaign in the region, which has seen tremendous loss on both sides, highlighting the broader humanitarian crisis that is unfolding.
The incident in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon prompted widespread condemnation after an image of it was widely shared online this week. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was 'stunned and saddened' by what happened. In its statement, the IDF said the inquiry had 'determined that the soldiers' conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values' and expressed 'deep regret over the incident'.
It also stated that IDF troops had replaced the damaged statue 'in full co-ordination with the local community' shortly after the incident. The IDF emphasized that their operations in Lebanon were 'solely' against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and not against Lebanese civilians.
The statue was reportedly on a crucifix outside a family home in Debel, a village where residents have largely remained amid the ongoing conflict. Father Fadi Flaifel, the head of the local congregation, condemned the destruction of the statue, calling it a desecration of a sacred symbol.
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee also condemned the act, calling for 'swift, severe, and public consequences' for those involved. This incident occurs amidst an ongoing military campaign in the region, which has seen tremendous loss on both sides, highlighting the broader humanitarian crisis that is unfolding.
