Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned an Israeli soldier for striking a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, according to multiple reports. Netanyahu expressed his disapproval on social media, stating he was "stunned and saddened" by the incident.
Key Takeaways
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned an incident where an Israeli soldier was photographed striking a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon. The military confirmed the photo's authenticity and stated it views the incident with great severity, promising disciplinary action against the involved soldier.
- An Israeli soldier struck a statue of Jesus Christ in Debl, Lebanon
- Prime Minister Netanyahu condemned the act and promised harsh disciplinary action
- The IDF is investigating the incident and working to restore the statue
- The incident occurred amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the authenticity of the photo, which spread rapidly on social media. The military described the soldier's conduct as "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops," per Reuters. The IDF is investigating the incident and promised to take appropriate measures against those involved.
The statue was located in Debl, a Christian village near the Israeli border. Local media reported that tens of thousands of residents have been evacuated from the area due to ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. According to CBS News, Netanyahu expressed regret for any hurt caused by the incident.
The IDF stated it is working with local communities to restore the statue, emphasizing that its operations aim to dismantle terrorist infrastructure without harming civilian or religious sites. The incident comes amid a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, following rocket attacks by Hezbollah in response to U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.
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