An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier faces disciplinary action after a photo showed him placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, marking the second time an Israeli soldier has desecrated a Catholic symbol in a Christian Lebanese village in recent weeks.
| PULSE POINTS |
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldier was photographed desecrating a Blessed Virgin Mary statue in the Christian village of Debel, southern Lebanon. The image, shared online, has prompted the IDF to announce disciplinary measures against the soldier. 📰 DETAIL: The incident occurred weeks ago but was only recently shared online. It follows other acts of vandalism by IDF soldiers in the same village, including the destruction of a statue of Jesus Christ crucified and damage to solar panels. The IDF said the conduct “completely deviates” from military values and promised disciplinary action, while spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani said the Israeli military respects all religions and holy sites. Father Fadi Felfeli, head of Debel’s congregation, condemned the act as unethical and extremist, saying it deeply angered residents who value peace and neutrality in the conflict. The Roman Catholic Church’s representative in the Holy Land also denounced the incident and urged Israel to ensure such behavior is not repeated. 🎯 IMPACT: The incident is one of several that have strained Israel’s relations with the Christian community since the October 7 attacks on Israel by Hamas in 2023. The new controversy comes as Israeli troops remain in parts of southern Lebanon despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah that began on April 16 but has failed to halt all fighting. Lebanese officials say more than 120 people, including civilians, have been killed in Israeli strikes over the past week, while Hezbollah continues rocket, drone, and mortar attacks on Israeli forces and northern Israel. Lebanese authorities say at least 2,715 people have been killed since the war began on March 2, while Israel says 17 soldiers and three Israeli civilians have died. 💬 KEY QUOTE: “Honestly, this issue really provoked us, especially after the apology regarding the cross. It also shows that there are individuals within the [Israeli] army that lack ethics and values and are bigoted. This reflects a great deal of fanaticism.” – Father Fadi Felfeli. |
The IDF views the incident with utmost severity and emphasizes that the conduct of the soldier completely deviates from the values expected of its personnel.
Following an initial review, the image in question was taken several weeks ago. The incident will be investigated, and…
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) May 6, 2026
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