The image has ignited international condemnation and raised fresh concerns about the protection of sacred sites during military operations.
Incident At Dibil Sparks Outrage
The photograph first surfaced on social media through Palestinian journalist Younis Tirawi, who identified the location as the outskirts of Dibil, a Christian town in Lebanon’s Bint Jbeil District near the Israeli border.
Local community pages confirmed the statue’s location and responded with a biblical passage, sharing an image of the damaged figure alongside the words, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
The Israeli military swiftly acknowledged the photograph’s authenticity, issuing a statement through its official channels on Sunday.
Military Response And Official Apology
The IDF described the soldier’s behavior as falling far below the standards expected of its personnel, confirming that the Northern Command has launched a formal investigation.
“The incident is being investigated by the Northern Command and is currently being addressed through the chain of command. Appropriate measures will be taken against those involved in accordance with the findings.”
The military emphasized that it maintains no policy of targeting civilian infrastructure, specifically including religious buildings and symbols, and stated that troops are now assisting the local community with restoration efforts.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar extended a public apology, addressing his remarks directly to Christian communities worldwide.
“Our greatest ally that takes billions of our tax dollars and weapons every year.”
Pattern Of Damage To Christian Sites
This incident adds to a growing record of Israeli military actions affecting Christian holy places during recent campaigns against Hamas and Hezbollah.
In 2023, an Israeli airstrike hit a structure adjacent to the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Porphyrius in Gaza, the territory’s oldest Christian shrine, resulting in eighteen fatalities.
Earlier this year, shrapnel from an Israeli tank shell struck Gaza’s Holy Family Church, the sole Catholic church in the Palestinian territory, killing three people.
The photograph triggered strong reactions from American political figures, with former US Representative Matt Gaetz calling the image “horrific” and former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene sharing the post with pointed commentary regarding US military aid to Israel.