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  "path": "/2026/04/20/israeli-soldier-pictured-smashing-a-statue-jesus-a-sledgehammer-28048106/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-20T13:44:42.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "News",
    "World",
    "Benjamin Netanyahu",
    "Israel",
    "Israel Defence Forces",
    "Israeli Government",
    "Jesus Christ",
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    "News Updates",
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    "check our news page",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
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  "textContent": "The soldier was seen smashing the weapon onto the crucifix, which had been turned upside down (Picture: X)\n\nAn Israeli soldier was photographed hitting the head of Jesus Christ in a crucifix with a sledgehammer, sparking outrage and condemnation.\n\nThe photo, taken in southern Lebanon, where Israel is continuing their campaign to establish a ‘buffer region’ outside of its own territory, prompted outcry from prominent politicians.\n\nPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the photo was real, writing on X: ‘I condemn the act in the strongest terms. We express regret for the incident, and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.’\n\nThe Israeli Defence Forces said in a statement: ‘The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasises that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.\n\n‘The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.’\n\nA ten-day temporary ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon was announced days ago (Picture: Getty)\n\n##  Sign up for all of the latest stories\n\nStart your day informed with Metro's **News Updates** newsletter or get **Breaking News** alerts the moment it happens.\n\nThe apology has fallen on deaf ears, however, with many pointing out that in the past, the IDF has fired on other religious sites.\n\nIn 2024, an airstrike killed eight people who were sheltering inside the St George Melkite Catholic Church in Derdghaya, Lebanon.\n\nThe strike was rebuked by Pope Francis, who called for a ceasefire in Lebanon. The IDF said the strike was targeting militants who were operating nearby.\n\nLast summer, Gaza’s only Catholic church – a refuge for many Christians during Israel’s war on Palestinians – was bombed. Two people were killed and several, including the parish priest, were injured.\n\nFather Gabriel Romanelli was very close to the late Pope Francis, and the two spoke every night since the beginning of Israel’s massacre in Gaza.\n\nFadel Naem, the acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, said both Christians and Muslims had been sheltering inside at the time of the attack.\n\nThey included several young children with disabilities, one of whom was injured.\n\n## Why are Israel and Lebanon fighting?\n\nMore than a million Lebanese people have been displaced (Picture: Reuters)\n\nHezbollah fired missiles across the border days after the US and Israel attacked Iran, resparking a lengthy regional conflict.\n\nIsrael responded with widespread bombardment of Lebanon and a ground invasion, and claims to have killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters.\n\nIsrael has killed more than 1,530 people in Lebanon, including more than 100 women and 130 children, in the attacks. More than one million people have been displaced in Lebanon.\n\nDays ago, Trump boasted that he was close to ending his tenth war after Israel and Lebanon agreed on a 10-day ceasefire.\n\nHe said he wanted a ‘lasting peace’ between the nations, adding: ‘It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE! President DONALD J. TRUMP’.\n\nSpeaking to reporters on the White House lawn, he said Hezbollah would be included in the ceasefire agreement.\n\nTrump expected Aoun and Netanyahu to meet in the next week or two, before saying the White House meeting between the Mideast leaders could happen in the next four or five days.\n\n******Get in touch with our news team by emailing us atwebnews@metro.co.uk.******\n\n**For more stories like this,** check our news page.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Israeli soldier pictured smashing up a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer"
}