The Israeli soldier who hit a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Lebanon and the soldier who photographed the incident will receive 30 days of military detention, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said.
The IDF also stated that the two unnamed soldiers would be removed from combat duty following an inquiry.
Additionally, another six soldiers present at the scene, who failed to intervene or report the incident, will face separate consequences.
The vandalism occurred in the village of Debel, causing widespread outrage once images circulated online this week. Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, expressed that he was stunned and saddened by the event.
According to the IDF, an internal investigation revealed that the soldiers' actions were in stark violation of IDF orders and values, and they expressed deep regret regarding the incident.
The IDF also confirmed that troops replaced the damaged statue, coordinating fully with the local community.
They reiterated that military actions in Lebanon are targeted solely against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and not against Lebanese civilians.
Locals indicated that the statue was placed outside a family home on the outskirts of Debel, where some residents have remained throughout ongoing conflicts.
Father Fadi Flaifel, head of the Debel congregation, condemned the desecration as unacceptable and contrary to the principles of human rights.
Others, including US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, also denounced the act, calling for immediate and severe consequences.
Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed regret for the incident and acknowledged the hurt it caused believers in Lebanon and beyond.
As tensions continue in the region, with thousands of Israeli troops in southern Lebanon following a ceasefire agreement that paused six weeks of fighting with Hezbollah, the threat of further conflict remains prominent.
