The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly repaired and replaced a damaged statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon after images circulated showing an IDF soldier striking it with a sledgehammer. Israeli officials said the incident does not reflect the values of the military. The soldiers involved have also reportedly already been sentenced to jail time.
BREAKING: The Israeli military has sentenced two soldiers to jail for destroying a statue of Jesus.
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) April 21, 2026
The punishment was handed down just 72 hours after the incident.
Good on the IDF for swift action.
BREAKING NEWS: The IDF reinstalled a statue of Jesus in the place where an Israeli soldier had destroyed it.
— Natalia Yael🇮🇱 (@Natalia_yael4) April 20, 2026
Good bless for the IDF for doing this. pic.twitter.com/M7hHq82Gdv
Within 72 hours after an IDF soldiers desecrated a statue of Jesus:
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) April 21, 2026
- The entire political establishment of Israel condemned it
- The soldier was jailed
- The statue was replaced by the IDF
Swift and immediate action.
"A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops," the IDF wrote in a statement. "The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident. The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future."
A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 21, 2026
The IDF… pic.twitter.com/nGh1s1iia1
This comes after Israeli officials confirmed that the image circulating of the incident was authentic, and it was swiftly condemned by both the IDF and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The IDF is currently examining the reliability of the photograph.
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) April 19, 2026
If this is indeed a real, recent picture, these actions do not align with the IDF's values and the behavior expected of IDF soldiers.
The incident will be investigated thoroughly and in depth, and if… pic.twitter.com/xMTtEMp4dS
Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 19, 2026
The IDF views the incident with great… https://t.co/U6P3x8KWBb
🚨 Prime Minister Netanyahu just condemned — in the STRONGEST terms — the IDF soldier who smashed the statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon.
— Reverend Jordan Wells (@WellsJorda89710) April 20, 2026
He called it “shameful.”
The IDF launched a criminal investigation.
They’re taking harsh disciplinary action and even offered to help… pic.twitter.com/TH4cklfnPs
"As the Jewish state, Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths. All religions flourish in our land and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region," Netanyahu wrote in a statement.
"Yesterday, like the overwhelming majority of Israelis, I was stunned and saddened to learn that an IDF soldier damaged a Catholic religious icon in southern Lebanon," he said. "I condemn the act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal probe of the matter and will take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender."
"While Christians are being slaughtered in Syria and Lebanon by Muslims, the Christian population in Israel thrives unlike elsewhere in the Middle East," the prime minister added. "Israel is the only country in the region that the Christian population and standard of living is growing. Israel is the only place in the Middle East that adheres to freedom of worship for all. We express regret for the incident and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world."