In brief
Two Israeli soldiers have received 30-day military detention for vandalizing a statue of Jesus in southern Lebanon, while another six soldiers present will face separate disciplinary actions. The incident, widely condemned online and described as shocking by Prime Minister Netanyahu, underscores the complexities of cultural sensitivities within conflict zones.
The Israeli soldier who hit a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in Lebanon and the soldier who photographed the incident will receive 30 days of military detention, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has said.
In a statement, the IDF also said the two soldiers - who have not been named - would be removed from combat duty.
Another six soldiers who were at the scene and failed to intervene will be dealt with separately.
The incident in the village of Debel in southern Lebanon prompted widespread condemnation after an image of it was widely shared online. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he was stunned and saddened by what happened.
