Overview
- The Israel Defense Forces said it is checking a photo that appears to show a soldier hitting a Jesus statue in south Lebanon with a hammer.
- Spokesman Nadav Shoshani said that if the image is real and recent, the act breaks IDF values and will lead to a full investigation with possible action.
- Arab media and local accounts placed the statue in the Christian village of Debl, and the Debl municipality told AFP the statue is there but it could not confirm any damage.
- The image that spread online appears to show a sledgehammer striking the head of a crucified Jesus statue that had fallen from its cross.
- The review comes as Israeli troops remain in southern Lebanon after a reported ceasefire, following weeks of cross‑border fire since early March between Hezbollah and Israel.