The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Sunday confirmed the authenticity of an image circulating on social media showing a soldier in southern Lebanon damaging a statue of Jesus Christ, an incident that prompted widespread condemnation online.

The image, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, appears to show an IDF soldier in uniform using a sledgehammer to destroy the religious statue.

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.

The IDF views the incident with great… https://t.co/U6P3x8KWBb

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) April 19, 2026

“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,” the IDF said. 

The IDF did not immediately provide details on the soldier’s identity or the circumstances under which the incident occurred.

Reports attributed to members of the Christian community in Ain Ebel, a village in the central sector of southern Lebanon, said the alleged incident occurred in Debel, a Maronite Christian village about six kilometers to the northwest and roughly five kilometers northeast of the Israeli border community of Shtula.

“The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasizes that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops,” the military said.

The IDF said it is assisting the Christian community in restoring the statue to its place. 

The incident is now being investigated by the Northern Command, and appropriate measures will be taken against those responsible, the IDF added.

The incident comes as Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon aimed at dismantling Hezbollah infrastructure.