Overview
- The Israeli military said Monday that the soldier who put a cigarette in a Virgin Mary statue’s mouth received 21 days in jail and the soldier who filmed it got 14 days.
- Military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Ariella Mazor said the conduct violated army values and that the IDF respects freedom of religion and holy sites.
- The army verified the viral photo shows its forces operating in southern Lebanon and said the act happened several weeks earlier.
- The incident occurred in Debel, the same village where a different soldier smashed a Jesus statue in April, an episode that led to 30-day detentions and removal from combat roles.
- The cases, which spread widely online, have intensified scrutiny of troop conduct during the Israel–Hezbollah conflict as Lebanese residents worry about damaged sites and their ability to return home.