IDF confirmed one of its soldiers smashed a Jesus Christ statue in a Christian town in Lebanon, and even MTG had something to say

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have officially confirmed that a photograph showing an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to destroy a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon is real. The incident took place in Debel, a Christian village in southern Lebanon, and the image spread widely on X.

The IDF released a statement shortly after midnight on Sunday-Monday after the photo started circulating online. The military said its initial review confirmed the photo shows an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon, and that it views the incident with great severity, reports The Mirror. The Northern Command is handling the investigation through the chain of command, and the military has promised that appropriate measures will be taken based on the findings.

The IDF’s Northern Command has also committed to helping the local Christian community restore the statue. The military made clear that the soldier’s conduct is completely inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.

Israel’s top leaders have strongly condemned the soldier’s actions

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was “stunned and saddened” by the incident and condemned the act in the strongest terms. In a post on X, he stressed that “Israel cherishes and upholds the Jewish values of tolerance and mutual respect between Jews and worshippers of all faiths.” 

He also noted that Israel is the only country in the region where the Christian population and standard of living are growing, and expressed regret “for the incident and for any hurt caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.” Netanyahu has previously found himself reacting to major developments, such as when he learned about Trump’s ban on bombing Lebanon the same way the public did.

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called it a “shameful action” and offered an apology. He said he was confident that “the necessary strict measures will be taken against whoever carried out this act,” adding that it is “completely contrary to Israeli values.” He apologized “to every Christian whose feelings were hurt by the footage” and reiterated that Israel respects different religions and their sacred symbols.

The backlash crossed party lines, with even Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Israel’s most vocal supporters in Congress, turning on the IDF over the incident. Under the viral post, she wrote, “‘Our greatest ally’ that takes billions of our tax dollars and weapons every year,” a comment that caught many off guard, given her political track record.

This incident happened during a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that began on Friday. While the ceasefire is in effect, IDF troops continue to operate throughout southern Lebanon, and the region has remained tense, with Hezbollah explosives causing casualties among Israeli forces even after the truce began.

This is not an isolated case. According to Times of Israel, there have been several instances where footage of Israeli soldiers destroying or looting property has surfaced on social media. In 2024, the IDF’s then-top lawyer, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, issued a formal warning to commanders about illegal actions by troops in Gaza, specifically citing “inappropriate statements, unjustified use of force, looting, and the destruction of civilian property.”

There has also been recent friction between Israeli authorities and Christian leaders in Jerusalem. In March, police blocked the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Father Francesco Ielpo from praying at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre during the Palm Sunday holiday. Police cited security restrictions during the war as the reason, but the incident caused significant international backlash before arrangements were made for Easter services. 

Meanwhile, thousands of Lebanese civilians returning to southern Lebanon after the ceasefire found scenes of widespread destruction. The current incident in Debel is also being monitored by the Hind Rajab Foundation, which tracks social media posts from Israeli soldiers to file formal complaints overseas, seeking to have individuals arrested for alleged war crimes when they travel abroad.