Israel says IDF soldier who damaged 'Christian symbol' jailed for 30 days

The Israeli military said on Tuesday that it has handed 30-day jail sentences to two soldiers after one of them damaged a "Christian religious symbol" in southern Lebanon, while another photographed the act.

In a statement, the Israeli army said the episode took place in the Christian village of Debel during military operations.

“The inquiry found that during IDF activity in the area of the Christian village of Debel in southern Lebanon, an IDF soldier damaged a Christian religious symbol while another soldier photographed the act," read the statement.

"Six additional soldiers were present at the scene and did not act to stop the incident or report it.”

The military said the behaviour violated its standards. “The inquiry determined that the soldiers’ conduct completely deviated from IDF orders and values,” it added.

Expressing regret, the army said its operations are not aimed at civilians.