Investigation Results and Conclusions Regarding the Conduct of a Soldier from the Defense Forces Who Desecrated a Christian Religious Symbol in Southern Lebanon

The results and conclusions of the serious incident involving a soldier from the Defense Forces assaulting a Christian religious symbol in southern Lebanon were presented to the commander of the 162nd Division, Brigadier General Shagiv Dahhan, yesterday evening (Monday).

The investigation findings indicate that during an activity by a Defense Forces unit in the area of the Christian village of Dbl in southern Lebanon, the soldier in question desecrated a Christian religious symbol, while another soldier filmed the incident, which was later published.

Six other soldiers were present at the scene without intervening to stop it or report it. The investigation concluded that the soldiers' conduct deviated entirely from the Defense Forces' orders and values.

The Defense Forces express profound regret for the incident and affirm that their activity in Lebanon is directed against Hezbollah and other terrorist elements, not against Lebanese civilians.

Since receiving the report of the incident, the Northern Command has been working to assist the village residents in replacing the statue.

The division commander received the investigation results and the commanders' recommendations. Based on this, the soldier who assaulted the religious symbol and the soldier who filmed it have been removed from combat duties, and each has been sentenced to 30 days in military prison. As for the remaining soldiers who stood by without intervening, they have been summoned for clarification sessions to be held later, and decisions regarding their continued handling at the command level will be made accordingly.

Instructions regarding the handling of religious institutions and symbols were once again emphasized to the forces before entering the relevant areas, and they will be reiterated to all forces in the sector following the incident.

The investigation results were presented to the Chief of the General Staff and the Northern Command commander, where the Chief of the General Staff condemned the incident, considering it unacceptable conduct and a moral failure that exceeds all measures of the Defense Forces' values and the standards expected of its soldiers.

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 expresses deep regret over the incident, and is working to ensure that it does not happen again in the future.