Israel news: Israeli Defence Forces IDF confirms photo of soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in Lebanon is real

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." (X/@ytirawi)

The IDF has confirmed through multiple channels that the image is real and is now investigating the incident.

"Following the completion of an initial examination regarding a photograph published earlier today of an IDF soldier harming a Christian symbol, it was determined that the photograph depicts an IDF soldier operating in southern Lebanon," a statement on the IDF's X account read.

The IDF claims they view the incident with "great severity" and that the conduct of the soldier is "wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops."

Residents stand next to the rubble of a destroyed building that was hit in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut. (AP Photo/Hussein Malla)

Israel had been conducting a military operation in southern Lebanon, where it was launching strikes against the militant group Hezbollah.

Attacks on Lebanon increased after the USA and Iran agreed to a ceasefire to temporarily halt their conflict , though Israel claimed Lebanon was not included.

Lebanon's government claims Israeli strikes have killed more than 2000 people since March 2, and the UN said 303 people alone were killed in a 10-minute bombardment on April 8.

Displaced people cross a destroyed bridge while returning to their villages, after a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel was agreed, in Qasmiyeh, near Tyre city, southern Lebanon. (AP)

After officials from the two countries met last week, it was finally agreed that Lebanon would be included in the ceasefire.

The IDF claims it is operating in southern Lebanon to disrupt the operations of Hezbollah, which is aligned with Iran.

"The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols," it said in the statement.