The desecration in southern Lebanon follows earlier incidents in which Israeli troops were accused of damaging Christian sites
A photograph appearing to show an Israeli soldier placing a cigarette in the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon has sparked outrage online.
The image, which surfaced on Wednesday, was reportedly taken in the predominantly Christian village of Dibil, near the border with Israel, and uploaded to social media by IDF soldiers.
In a statement to RT, the IDF said it views the incident “with utmost severity” and that the soldier’s conduct “completely deviates” from its values. The IDF added that the photo was taken several weeks ago and that “command measures” will follow a formal probe, stressing that it respects all holy sites and religious symbols.
It is the latest in a series of actions widely seen as showing disregard for Lebanon’s Christian community.
In April, video from the same village showed an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus Christ in the face with a large mallet during the ongoing ground operation in southern Lebanon. The crucifix was later photographed with its face destroyed alongside the biblical quote, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do,” posted on the town’s official page.
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