Israeli Military Launches Probe After Soldier Desecrates V!rgin Mary Statue In Southern Lebanon
Israeli Military Launches Probe After Soldier Desecrates Virgin Mary Statue In Southern Lebanon
According to The Times of Israel, the military said on Wednesday that it viewed the “incident gravely” and would take action against the soldier involved.
The Israeli military has launched an investigation after a photograph circulated online showing a soldier desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon.
According to The Times of Israel, the military said on Wednesday that it viewed the “incident gravely” and would take action against the soldier involved.
An initial inquiry reportedly found that the image was taken several weeks ago in the Christian-majority village of Debel, although it only surfaced online on Wednesday.
The photograph showed the soldier placing a cigarette into the mouth of the statue while smoking one himself.
The incident is the latest involving Israeli soldiers accused of damaging religious sites and civilian property in southern Lebanon. Last month, another soldier was photographed destroying a statue of Jesus in the same village.
Lebanese media also reported that Israeli troops bulldozed solar panels used to supply electricity for Debel’s water system, while homes, roads and olive trees were also destroyed during operations in the area.
Israeli forces have intensified attacks across Lebanon, including in Beirut, saying they are targeting Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure. Troops also continue to occupy parts of southern Lebanon and demolish villages in the region.
The destruction has raised concerns among Lebanese officials and residents that displaced civilians may have nowhere to return to after the conflict.
Concerns have also increased over Israel’s treatment of Christians in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory. Religious organisations have documented reports of harassment and violence against Christian clerics, pilgrims and Palestinian Christians.
One recent incident involved the assault of a French nun near Jerusalem’s Old City. Video footage showed a man pushing the nun to the ground, injuring her head, before returning to kick her as she lay on the floor until bystanders intervened.
Israeli police later announced the arrest of a 36-year-old man after the footage gained international attention. Following outrage over the destruction of the Jesus statue in Debel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a condemnation, while the two soldiers involved were removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in jail.
The report also noted that Israeli attacks during the Gaza war damaged several religious sites, including the Great Omari Mosque and the Saint Porphyrius Church.
