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Israel’s military says it has replaced a crucifix in southern Lebanon after a soldier smashed it down over the weekend.
The Israeli military posted a photo on social media of the replacement crucifix, which appeared smaller but more ornate than the original statue that a soldier was photographed destroying in southern Lebanon.
Tuesday’s post on X said troops worked with the community in the Lebanese village of Debel to co-ordinate the replacement, which includes a metallic-sheened Jesus figure and four paintings of saints, one on each arm of the cross.
A short while ago, in full coordination with the local community of Debel in southern Lebanon, the damaged statue was replaced by IDF troops. The Northern Command worked to coordinate the replacement of the statue from the moment it received the report of the incident.
The IDF… pic.twitter.com/nGh1s1iia1
—IDF
An Israeli military statement said an investigation into the incident showed that one soldier damaged the Christian religious symbol, while another photographed the act. Two soldiers were removed from combat duty and placed in military detention for 30 days, it said.
Six other soldiers had been present without taking action or interfering, according to the statement.
A picture that showed an Israeli soldier taking the blunt side of an axe to a fallen sculpture of Jesus on the cross drew widespread condemnation on Monday from Israeli politicians, the United States and church leaders.
It was posted by Younis Tirawi, a Palestinian reporter who has also posted images of Israeli soldiers’ apparent misconduct in Gaza.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand confirmed Canadian officials met with Israel’s ambassador to Canada, requesting Israel conduct a ‘full and transparent’ investigation into the killing of a Canadian citizen in Lebanon. When asked if Israel committed to an investigation, Anand said, ‘We are very much hoping that they will respond positively to our request.’
Reuters verified the image as having been taken in Debel, one of the few villages in southern Lebanon where residents remained through Israel’s military campaign against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia that began March 2.
Christians are estimated to make up around a third of Lebanon’s population of roughly 5.5 million people. Thousands of Christians were displaced from their homes in the country’s south during the war.