Backlash after Israeli soldier vandalizes Jesus statue in Lebanon stirs tensions

A viral image showing an Israeli soldier hitting a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Debel, southern Lebanon, triggered widespread condemnation. The IDF called the act condemnable and pledged appropriate action and cooperation with the local Christian community to restore the statue, while Prime Minister Netanyahu and Israel’s foreign minister apologized. The incident comes amid a broader, fragile ceasefire and ongoing clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, with significant displacement and casualties on both sides.