The Israeli army has confirmed on Monday it had determined that an image circulating on social media showing one of its soldiers in south Lebanon hitting a statue of Jesus Christ is authentic.
The admission follows widespread outrage over a video depicting a soldier using a jackhammer to smash the head of a statue of Jesus Christ in the town of Deir Siryan.
The Israeli army has determined that the incident involved a soldier operating in southern Lebanon.
The desecration occurred despite the Israeli army’s insistence that it "has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols."
While the military claims the incident is being investigated by the Northern Command, it provided no details on the soldier’s identity or specific disciplinary actions.
Outrage
Former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene lashed out at the news, questioning the status of "our greatest ally" that receives billions in tax dollars and weapons.
Ryan Grim, a prominent US media person, said, "Israeli soldiers have been posting images of their war crimes and cultural desecration for two and a half years straight without interruption."
Noted far-right commentator and former Congressman Matt Gaetz called the Israeli action "horrific".
Lebanese media have reported damage to another Christian site in the village of Ain Ebel in the same district.
Reports indicate that Israeli strikes hit a number of religious sites in southern Lebanon, including the village of Shamaa in the Tyre district.
Since 2 March, Israeli attacks on Lebanon killed 2,294 people and displaced more than 1 million.
Blocking Patriarch entry
Last month, Israeli forces barred the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre to lead Palm Sunday prayers, marking the first such restriction in centuries.
The move sparked widespread criticism from global leaders and religious institutions over freedom of worship.
The decision was later reversed following international backlash, with Israeli officials allowing access to resume, but the episode highlighted growing tensions around religious access in Jerusalem’s holy sites and Israeli blockage on Christians and Muslims.
