The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has launched an investigation after confirming a photo showing one of its soldiers destroying a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon is real.
The image, initially shared by Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi on X, showed a soldier using a hammer to topple a statue of Jesus Christ.
Tirawi claimed the soldier was from the IDF and was operating in southern Lebanon, though it is unclear when the photo was taken.
The IDF insists the actions of the soldier are "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops."
The IDF has confirmed through multiple channels that the image is real and is now investigating the incident.
Israel had been conducting a military operation in southern Lebanon, where it was launching strikes against the militant group Hezbollah.
The IDF claims it is operating in southern Lebanon to disrupt the operations of Hezbollah, which is aligned with Iran. »