Israeli Soldier Photographed Holding Cigarette Near Virgin Mary Statue in Lebanon

The Israeli military said on Thursday it would investigate after a soldier was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. An image appearing to show an Israeli soldier with his arm around the revered Christian figure and holding a cigarette up to her mouth was widely shared on social media on Wednesday.

The photo was published by Al Jazeera on 7 May 2026.

The Israeli military stated that it views the incident with utmost severity and that the conduct of the soldier completely deviates from the values expected of its personnel. "The incident will be investigated and command measures will be taken against the soldier in accordance with the findings," it added. An initial review by the Israeli military showed the image was taken several weeks ago.

Israeli army officials say the matter of the soldier and the Virgin Mary statue is under examination. Outrage is growing over the photo of the Israeli soldier pushing a cigarette into the mouth of the statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon. It is not the first time the Israeli military has come under fire in recent weeks over soldiers' conduct surrounding Christian statues in southern Lebanon.

In late April, two Israeli soldiers received 30 days of military detention and were removed from combat duty over the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ in the southern village of Debl. A photo was shared online showing an Israeli soldier using a sledgehammer to strike the head of a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen off a cross in Debl.

The Israeli military stated that it respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities.

It added that it had no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.