IDF Destroys Christian Crucifix In Southern Lebanon

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to a photo of an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldier desecrating a statue of Jesus Christ in Lebanon on Sunday.

Netanyahu’s condemnation of the destruction of the crucifix on Monday followed a photo of a near-life-size statue of a crucified Jesus hanging upside down, with only his feet still hanging to the cross, as an IDF soldier can be seen placing a sledgehammer over the face of Jesus. (RELATED: CENTCOM Releases Video Showing US Navy ‘Blowing A Hole’ In Cargo Vessel Attempting To Defy Blockade)

Netanyahu said that he and a majority of Israelis were “stunned and saddened” by the destruction of the icon. He condemned the act and announced a criminal probe into the incident. He said officials will “take appropriately harsh disciplinary action against the offender.”

The IDF also released a statement confirming the photo and the investigation.

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the Sunday statement said.

Lebanon |

An Israeli soldier smashing the head of a Jesus Christ statue during operations in southern Lebanon. pic.twitter.com/Sj1m16tj9q

— Younis Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) April 19, 2026

The Israeli military also said it is working with the community to restore the statue, adding that the IDF was in southern Lebanon to “dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah.”

“[The IDF] has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols,” the statement continued.

The IDF has also struck roads in Lebanon, including one near a journalist. Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni suspended defense cooperation with the IDF on Tuesday after Israel fired warning shots at an Italian peacekeeping convoy earlier in April.

Netanyahu pointed to the values of the Jewish state, which he said uphold tolerance and respect between Jews and those belonging to other faiths.

“All religions flourish in our land, and we view members of all faiths as equals in building our society and region,” Netanyahu said. He claimed that while Muslims in Syria and Lebanon are slaughtering Christians, Israel is the only country in the region with a growing Christian population.

The joint Lebanon-Israeli efforts against Hezbollah reached a 10-day ceasefire Thursday — after over a month since the conflict began.