Two soldiers received 30 days military detention; six others faced separate action for failing to intervene.
12:19 PM
The Israeli Defense Forces said two soldiers have been sentenced to 30 days of military detention following an investigation into the destruction of a Jesus statue in southern Lebanon.
One soldier struck a crucifix statue with a sledgehammer in the village of Debel, while a second soldier photographed the incident. Both will be removed from combat duty, the IDF said in a statement Tuesday.
An image of the incident circulated widely online this week, prompting widespread condemnation. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was "stunned and saddened" by what occurred.
The IDF said its inquiry determined that "the soldiers' conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values" and expressed "deep regret" over the incident. The military said it has been "working" to help the community replace the damaged religious image since learning of the incident.
Six additional soldiers who were present at the scene will face separate disciplinary measures. According to the IDF, these soldiers neither acted to stop the conduct nor reported it to superiors. The remaining troops who witnessed the incident have been called to testify to clarify what occurred, after which further measures will be determined.
A viral photograph of an Israeli soldier striking a Jesus statue with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon has prompted a military investigation and condemnation from Israeli officials.
Three consecutive attacks struck rescue workers responding to an airstrike in Mayfadoun, killing at least four paramedics and wounding several others.
A 10-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah began Friday, displacing over one million Lebanese residents and complicating Netanyahu's political position domestically.
Israeli and Lebanese officials said Wednesday that Israel is weighing a pause in fighting against Hezbollah, though formal approval remains pending.
Hezbollah said its fighters have "finger on the trigger" hours after a U.S.-mediated 10-day ceasefire with Israel took effect in Lebanon.
Russian forces conducted nearly 100 attacks across three days on Ukrainian region, targeting civilian infrastructure and residential areas.
