IDF launches probe after Israeli soldier 'smashes statue of Jesus Christ in Lebanon'

The alleged vandalism is believed to have taken place in the Christian town of Debel, with a local community page on Facebook claiming it belongs to them.

The profile - Debel Alerts - posted an image of the statue prior to the incident on Facebook, writing: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)."

The original upload has been viewed more than 5.3 million times on X alone.

Shortly after it began circulating across social media, the IDF's international spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani confirmed the "reliability of the photograph" was being investigated.

He wrote on social media: "If this is indeed a real, recent picture, these actions do not align with the IDF's values and the behaviour expected of IDF soldiers.

"The incident will be investigated thoroughly and in depth, and if necessary, steps will be taken in accordance with the findings."

Shortly afterwards, the IDF issued a statement confirming "it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon".

The Israeli military said: "The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasises that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.

"The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command.

"Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings."

The IDF vowed to work alongside the Christian community of Debel to restore the statue to its original form.

They added: "The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols."

It follows a row between Israel and the Catholic Church after a cardinal was turned away from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre while trying to enter for a Palm Sunday mass.

Cardinal Pierluigi Pizzaballa was barred from the place of worship "out of special concern for his safety" - sparking a major international spat.

The US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, called it "an unfortunate overreach already having major repercussions around the world" which was "difficult to understand or justify".

Benjamin Netanyahu then intervened, allowing Cardinal Pizzaballa back in.

On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that Israeli and Lebanese leaders had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire following six weeks of exchanges between Tel Aviv and Iranian-backed proxy Hezbollah.

However, just hours after the truce was announced, Beirut accused Israel of violating the agreement after Lebanese media reported Israeli machine gunfire at an ambulance belonging to the Hezbollah.

Conflict between Israel and the Iran-backed group in Lebanon was reignited by the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Hezbollah opened fire in support of Tehran on March 2, prompting an Israeli offensive in Lebanon that authorities say has killed 2,000 people, 15 months after their last major conflict.

Israel is home to a 185,000-strong Christian community, with the majority - believed to be around 79 per cent - being Arab Christians.

Although they are not required to complete mandatory national service - unlike the country's Jewish and Druze citizens - recent reports suggest several hundred are now serving in the IDF's ranks.

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