Israeli military investigates soldier's act against Virgin Mary statue in Lebanon
An Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon is under investigation after photographs showed him placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue. The case is the second incident targeting a Christian figure in recent weeks and has sparked broad outrage in Lebanon.
The Israel Defense Forces have opened an investigation into a soldier deployed to southern Lebanon after photographs showed him desecrating a Virgin Mary statue. The images, which spread rapidly on social media, showed the soldier placing a lit cigarette in the statue's mouth.
Christian churches and political groups in Lebanon condemned the incident sharply. The Maronite Patriarchate said the act was not a one-off lapse but a reflection of a deeper military discipline problem. Lebanon's Foreign Ministry filed a formal note over the incident with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon, UNIFIL.
It is the second incident in recent weeks targeting a Christian symbol. The pattern continues to test the fragile Israel–Hezbollah ceasefire and Lebanon's internal political balance. The IDF says it has launched disciplinary proceedings; a ruling is expected within two weeks.
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