The Israeli military said May 12 that it sentenced two soldiers to military jail after one was photographed placing a cigarette in the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in Debel, a predominantly Christian village in southern Lebanon.
The image had sparked outrage among Christian leaders and foreign governments.
According to the Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the soldier seen in the image was sentenced to three weeks in military jail, while the soldier who took the photograph received a two-week sentence. The military said Brig. Gen. Sagiv Dahan, commander of the 162nd Division, ordered the punishments after an investigation into the incident.
New photo alleges another case of IDF troops ‘desecrating’ Christian symbols in South Lebanon
— RT (@RT_com) May 6, 2026
Image reportedly from the town of Debel shows soldier mocking the Virgin Mary statue by placing a cigarette in its mouth pic.twitter.com/D3J3Cv7CB7
“The IDF views the incident gravely, and respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities,” the military said in a statement.
The military added that troops are routinely briefed on proper conduct at religious sites before entering sensitive areas.
IDF Spokesperson's statement regarding the photo showing an IDF soldier with a statue of Mother Mary several weeks ago: @LTC_Shoshani: The IDF views the incident with utmost severity and emphasizes that the conduct of the soldier completely deviates from the values expected of…
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) May 7, 2026
As Zeale News reported, the incident drew condemnation from the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, which called the image “disrespectful and outrageous behaviour that must stop immediately.” Poland’s Foreign Ministry also expressed “strong concern” over the incident.
The case marked the latest controversy involving Israeli troops in Debel. In April, another Israeli soldier was photographed smashing a crucifix with a sledgehammer. Videos circulating online also appeared to show military excavators damaging solar panels in the village.
>> Israeli soldier desecrates crucifix in southern Lebanese village <<
Debel was among several Christian communities in southern Lebanon that Israel had not ordered to evacuate during fighting with Hezbollah.
The incidents have intensified criticism from some Christian leaders and rights advocates about treatment of churches, religious symbols, and Christian communities during the conflict in Lebanon and the occupied West Bank.