IDF Jails Soldier Over Destruction of Jesus Statue in Lebanon

A statue of Jesus was delivered by the IDF to the Christian village of Debl in southern Lebanon on April 21, 2026, replacing one that had been destroyed by a soldier. Photo: timesofisrael.com

DEBL, LEBANON — The Israel Defense Forces have sentenced a soldier to 30 days in military prison after he was filmed using a sledgehammer to destroy a statue of Jesus in the Christian village of Debl, alongside another soldier who documented the act. The incident, which occurred during ongoing military operations in southern Lebanon, prompted a formal investigation and disciplinary measures.

According to the military, six additional troops present at the scene were found to have failed to intervene or report the incident and have been summoned for further questioning. The IDF stated that the actions of the soldiers “completely deviated from orders and values,” and confirmed that both the damaged statue and a replacement were provided to the local community.

Senior commanders, including the head of the Northern Command, condemned the incident as a moral failure. The army emphasized that its operations are directed against militant groups and not civilians, and said procedures regarding religious sites had been reinforced across units operating in the region.

Previously, the UOJ reported that an 85-foot statue of Christ had been erected on the Lebanon–Syria border.

Read also