IDF Removes Two Soldiers From Duty, Jails Them 30 Days for Destroying Crucifix in Lebanon
- Israel's military removed two soldiers from combat duty and placed them in military detention for 30 days after they destroyed a crucifix in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense...
- The incident occurred on April 19 in the village of Debel, where an Israeli soldier used the blunt side of an axe to damage the head of a...
- A photograph of the soldier striking the statue circulated on social media on April 20, drawing widespread condemnation from Israeli politicians, U.S.
Israel’s military removed two soldiers from combat duty and placed them in military detention for 30 days after they destroyed a crucifix in southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces announced on April 21, 2026.
The incident occurred on April 19 in the village of Debel, where an Israeli soldier used the blunt side of an axe to damage the head of a fallen statue of Jesus Christ on the cross. A second soldier photographed the act, while six others were present but did not intervene or report the incident, according to a military investigation.
A photograph of the soldier striking the statue circulated on social media on April 20, drawing widespread condemnation from Israeli politicians, U.S. Officials, and Christian leaders worldwide. The image was posted by Palestinian reporter Younis Tirawi, who has previously shared documentation of alleged Israeli military misconduct in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces stated that its investigation concluded the soldiers’ conduct “completely deviated from IDF orders and values.” both the soldier who damaged the statue and the one who filmed the act were removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in military prison.
Israel’s chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, condemned the desecration as “unacceptable conduct and a moral failure,” according to the military statement. The IDF said it is working with the local community to replace the destroyed statue.
Rights groups noted that this type of punishment is relatively rare in the Israeli military. In 2025, the conflict-monitoring organization Action on Armed Violence found that Israel had closed down or left unresolved 88 percent of cases of alleged misconduct in Gaza and the West Bank. In a separate recent case, charges were dropped against soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Gaza detainee.
The military emphasized that the soldiers’ actions do not reflect IDF standards and reaffirmed its commitment to investigating all reports of misconduct.