Overview
- Israel’s military said Tuesday it completed its inquiry and ordered 30 days of military detention and removal from front-line duty for the soldier who destroyed the statue and for the soldier who took the photo.
- The army said six other troops who witnessed the act were called in for further action, and it labeled the conduct a moral failure that violates IDF orders and values.
- The image and video first posted by journalist Younis Tirawi showed a soldier striking the face of a crucified Jesus figure that had been taken down and placed upside down, which Reuters verified as from the Christian village of Debel.
- The IDF said it coordinated with local residents in Debel to replace the damaged crucifix, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the act and Catholic leaders and the U.S. ambassador in Israel demanded tough, public consequences.
- Debel remains under effective Israeli control during a fragile cease-fire with Hezbollah, and local clergy say movement is restricted for villagers, heightening the sensitivity around attacks on religious symbols.