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IDF Soldier Damages Jesus Statue in Lebanon as US Threatens Iran Infrastructure Strikes
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed harsh action against a soldier photographed damaging a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred amid a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah. Separately, U.S. forces seized an Iranian cargo vessel, prompting Iranian threats of retaliation while peace talks stall.
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IDF Spokesperson's Unit photographer / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)Audio version
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on X that he condemned in the strongest terms an incident where an IDF soldier damaged a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon, vowing harsh disciplinary action against the offender. Netanyahu posted the statement on Monday, describing himself as stunned and saddened by the act, which involved a soldier photographed taking a sledgehammer to the face of the statue in the Christian town of Debel.
He added that military authorities are conducting a criminal probe and will take appropriately harsh measures.
The Israel Defence Forces confirmed the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon and launched an investigation into the incident, which the Northern Command is addressing through the chain of command. IDF international spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani stated on social media that if the image is real and recent, the actions do not align with IDF values and expected soldier behavior, promising a thorough investigation.
The IDF views the incident with great severity, emphasizing it is inconsistent with troop values, and vowed to work alongside the Christian community of Debel to restore the statue to its original form.
3 million times on X. A local community page on Facebook in Debel claimed the statue belongs to them. , rejecting the transfer of enriched uranium stockpiles abroad as not on the Islamic Republic's agenda.
U.S. proposal conveyed by Pakistan's army chief but maintains a definitive position to preserve nuclear achievements within its territory, denying related claims. U.S.
Violations of the ceasefire and threats to Iranian ports and ships. U.S. military will knock out every single power plant and infrastructure target in Iran.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz defended these threats on Sunday. -Israeli strikes on military, government, and infrastructure sites. -Iran talks in Pakistan earlier in April 2026 failed to reach a peace deal, and a two-week ceasefire announced earlier in April is set to expire on April 22, 2026.
