Jerusalem, ISRAEL — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) officially confirmed on Monday, April 20, 2026, that a widely circulated image showing one of its soldiers striking a statue of Jesus Christ with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon is authentic.
The image, which sparked international outrage after surfacing on social media over the weekend, depicts an Israeli soldier using a heavy tool to strike the head of a sculpture of a crucified Jesus that had reportedly fallen from its cross. Okay News reports that the incident took place in the Maronite Christian village of Debl, located approximately five kilometers from the Israeli border.
In a statement released on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the IDF described the incident as being viewed with “great severity,” stating that the soldier’s conduct is “wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.” The military confirmed that an initial examination by the Northern Command identified the individual as an active-duty soldier operating in the region. Israel’s Foreign Minister, Gideon Saar, also condemned the act, labeling it “shameful and disgraceful” and issued a formal apology to the Christian community.
The Debl municipality confirmed the statue’s location but noted that the full extent of the damage is still being assessed. The IDF stated it is currently working with local community leaders to “restore the statue to its place” and promised that “appropriate measures will be taken against those involved” following a thorough investigation through the chain of command.
The controversy arises despite a ceasefire that technically entered into force on Friday, April 17, though Israeli troops remain stationed in several border villages to dismantle Hezbollah infrastructure. Critics, including international observers and political figures, have pointed to the incident as an affront to religious symbols in a conflict zone already marked by high tensions.
The Israeli military has reiterated that its mission does not include the targeting of religious buildings or symbols and that this event was an isolated breach of protocol.
