In the wake of international outrage over an Israeli soldier smashing the head of a Jesus statue in Lebanon with a sledgehammer, the Israel Defense Forces have replaced the image with a new one, while two IDF soldiers have been sentenced to 30 days in military detention.
The IDF announced on Tuesday: “A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.
“The IDF expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future.”
A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.
The IDF… pic.twitter.com/nGh1s1iia1
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 21, 2026
The IDF held an inquiry into the destruction of the statue, and determined that “an IDF soldier damaged a Christian religious symbol while another soldier photographed the act. Six additional soldiers were present at the scene and did not act to stop the incident or report it. The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values.”
The IDF stressed its “operations in Lebanon are directed solely against the Hezbollah terrorist organization and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians.”
The conclusion of the inquiry also stated: “It was decided that the soldier who damaged the Christian symbol and the soldier who photographed the act will be removed from combat duty and will receive 30 days of military detention. The remaining troops who stood by have been summoned for clarification discussions that will be held later on, after which further command-level measures will be determined.”
“Procedures regarding conduct with religious institutions and symbols were reinforced to the troops prior to their entry into the relevant areas, and will be reinforced again for all troops in the area following the incident.
“The findings of the inquiry were presented to the Chief of the General Staff and the Commander of the Northern Command. The Chief of the General Staff condemned the incident and stated that it constitutes unacceptable conduct and a moral failure, far exceeding any acceptable standard and contradicting IDF values and the expected conduct of its troops.”
BREAKING: The Israeli military has sentenced two soldiers to 30 DAYS in jail for DESTROYING a statue in Jesus, per AP
One of them was seen taking a SLEDGEHAMMER to the head of Jesus
30 days is WAY too light, but at least they’re being punished. pic.twitter.com/4HG42Ex2JL
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 21, 2026
Adam Parsons, a Middle East correspondent for Sky News, opined on the outcome of the “monstrous act.”
“The problem for Israel was threefold,” Parsons said. “Firstly, the attack was clearly a monstrous act – desecrating a statue of Jesus by caving in its head.
“Secondly, it was caught on camera. Thirdly that image, capturing the very millisecond when the sledgehammer hit the statue’s head, was seen around the world. And it looked appalling.
“The Israeli government has a pretty thick skin. It is well accustomed to criticism of its policies and rhetoric. But this was something else – grotesque behavior from soldiers whose conduct has often been questioned.
“Clearly, smashing a statue does not have the same devastating consequences as killing civilians in Gaza or Lebanon. But when that happens, the IDF can always blame the operational demands of its wars against Hamas or Hezbollah. Many may disagree, but the fog of war offers cover.
“This incident, and the image that came from it, had no such solution. There is nothing anyone could have said that would have excused this. It looked monstrous and profoundly offensive, precisely because that is exactly what it was.”
As WorldNetDaily reported Monday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he “was stunned and saddened to learn” of the desecration of the statue, adding, “I condemn the act in the strongest terms.”
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee noted: “Swift, severe, & public consequences are needed.”
Glad that @gidonsaar @IsraelMFA has taken a strong stand to condemn this outrageous act by an IDF soldier-it doesn’t properly represent the IDF, Israel, or the Israeli gov’t. Swift, severe, & public consequences are needed. https://t.co/uU1H35CUK3
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) April 20, 2026
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