Israeli soldiers punished over vandalism of Jesus statue in Lebanon, as reported by the BBC, have been ordered to serve 30 days of military detention. The soldiers. Who have not been named. Were identified as the one who hit the statue with a sledgehammer and the one who photographed the incident, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Condemnation and IDF Response

The IDF stated that the two soldiers would be ‘removed from combat duty’ following an inquiry into the incident, but the inquiry determined that the soldiers’ actions ‘completely deviated from IDF orders and values,’ the IDF said in a statement on Tuesday.

The IDF expressed ‘deep regret over the incident’ and said that it had replaced the damaged statue in full coordination with the local community shortly after the incident occurred. The IDF emphasized that its operations in Lebanon are directed ‘solely’ against the Iran-backed group Hezbollah and other terrorist groups, and not against Lebanese civilians.

Local community members have condemned the act, calling it a violation of human rights and an affront to religious symbols. The incident took place in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon, where the statue was located on a crucifix outside a family home — Debel is one of the few villages in the region where residents have remained during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Local and International Reactions

Father Fadi Flaifel. The head of Debel’s congregation. Told the BBC that the desecration of the cross, a sacred symbol, was completely unacceptable, while he said the act went against the declaration of human rights and did not reflect civility. He also claimed similar incidents had occurred before in the area.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, representing Israel’s most important ally, called for ‘swift, severe, and public consequences’ following the ‘outrageous act.’ He expressed his concern over the incident and its impact on relations between Israel and Lebanon.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed ‘stunned and saddened’ by the incident and said he regretted it ‘and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.’

Context of the Conflict

Thousands of Israeli troops continue to occupy a wide area of southern Lebanon after a US-brokered ceasefire came into force between Israel and Lebanon on Friday. The ceasefire paused six weeks of fighting between the IDF and the Shia Muslim armed group Hezbollah, although both sides have accused each other of violations.

Hezbollah began firing rockets at Israel in support of Iran two days after Israel and the US launched a war on Tehran on 28 February. Israel began a military campaign in Lebanon on 2 March, which has resulted in more than a million people being displaced, with more than 2,290 killed, including 177 children and 100 healthcare workers, according to Lebanese authorities.

Israeli officials stated that 13 Israeli soldiers and two civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks during the same period. The conflict continues to escalate tensions in the region, with the recent incident of vandalism adding further strain to the already complex situation.