TWO Israeli soldiers have been jailed for smashing a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer after the shocking photo of the act went viral.
The two men — one who swung the hammer and one who photographed it — have been removed from combat duty and ordered to serve 30 days military prison.
An Israeli soldier destroying the head of the Jesus statue Credit: Collect
Benjamin Netanyahu said the soldiers responsible for the attack would not go unpunished Credit: Reuters
The IDF says the statue has been replaced by troops, “in full coordination with the local community.”
A military spokesperson also expressed “deep regret” over the incident and said the IDF was “working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future”.
An investigation also revealed six other troops were present but did not try to stop the act or report it.
“The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values,” the military said.
showed a man dressed in military fatigues smashing the head with an axe.
It quickly gained 8million views on X.
A local page from the Christian town of Debl, 60 miles from Lebanon’s capital, Beirut, confirmed that the figure belongs to the municipality.
The other troops have been stood down and summoned for “clarification discussions”.
The IDF also said: “procedures regarding conduct with religious institutions and symbols were reinforced to the troops prior to their entry into the relevant areas, and will be reinforced again for all troops in the area following the incident.”
Benjamin Netanyahu previously slammed the incident “in the strongest terms” and warned of “harsh disciplinary” against the IDF soldier.
“Yesterday [April 19], 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,” the Israeli Prime Minister wrote on X.
“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.”
Members of the media work near damaged buildings amid a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel Credit: Reuters
Aftermath of intense Israeli airstrikes on a residential neighbourhood in Tyre, southern Lebanon, in the final moments before a ceasefire took effect Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Israeli officials earlier confirmed that the photo is genuine and “promised to investigate,” adding that the “soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops”.
A statement said: “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.”
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thesun and follow us on TikTok @TheSun .
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
