An image of an Israeli soldier apparently hitting a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon has prompted widespread condemnation after being widely shared online. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was 'stunned and saddened' by the incident, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar offering an apology for those offended. Locals reported the statue was located outside a family home in Debel, a village central to the ongoing conflict. Father Fadi Flaifel, the local congregation's head, condemned the vandalism, saying it undermines human rights and civility.

The Israeli military acknowledged the authenticity of the image and condemned the soldier's actions, asserting it was inconsistent with military values. They promised to take appropriate action against those involved and engage with the Christian community to restore the damaged statue. Amidst a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah, the incident has inflamed tensions, receiving backlash from international observers, including US leaders who called for accountability. As support for Israel fluctuates, the incident raises alarms over religious intolerance in an already volatile region.