IDF Soldier Photographed Placing Cigarette in Virgin Mary Statue Mouth
Photos showing an Israeli soldier placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in the southern Lebanese village of Debel surfaced on May 6, 2026. The military said the incident, which occurred within the last day, is under investigation. The event follows two prior controversies in the same village involving soldiers and Christian symbols or property.
jpost.comPhotos of an Israeli soldier placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in the southern Lebanese village of Debel surfaced on Wednesday. The images, which showed the soldier smoking at the same time, were uploaded to social media by soldiers and taken sometime within the last day, according to a report.
Post by @Jerusalem_Post on X
The military said the incident was under investigation. The village of Debel lies in an area where Israeli forces have operated since the escalation of conflict with Hezbollah in late 2023.
2026, a soldier operating in Debel was photographed smashing a statue of Jesus with a hammer. The soldier who carried out the act and the soldier who photographed it were both removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in prison. The military attempted to replace the Jesus statue with a more ornate version.
Residents of the village instead installed a statue identical to the one that had been damaged. The following week, a video circulated showing soldiers destroying civilian solar panels in the same village. The latest incident involving the Virgin Mary statue has drawn attention to the pattern of events affecting Christian sites and property in the area.
The photos come amid ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon. Christian communities in the region have expressed concerns over the reported incidents.
Key Facts
Story Timeline
3 events- May 6, 2026
Photos of soldier with Virgin Mary statue surface on social media.
1 source@Jerusalem_Post - Late April 2026
Soldier photographed smashing Jesus statue in Debel.
1 source@Jerusalem_Post - Early May 2026
Video emerges of soldiers destroying solar panels in Debel.
1 source@Jerusalem_Post
Potential Impact
- 01
The military has opened an investigation into the soldier's conduct with the statue.
- 02
Christian groups in Lebanon may increase calls for protection of religious sites.
- 03
Residents of Debel replaced the damaged Jesus statue with an identical copy.
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