UN says destruction of Jesus statue by Israeli soldier in Lebanon 'shocking’

The United Nations expressed their indignation about the demolition of a statue of Jesus Christ by an Israeli soldier in southern Lebanon.

In response to Anadolu Agency's inquiry regarding the matter, Stephane Dujarric, a spokesperson for the secretary-general, mentioned that the organization is aware of the issue and considers it "shocking."

The UN official expressed appreciation of "disciplinary action" taken against the soldiers from Israel.

"The desecration of religious symbols, the desecration of houses of worship, is unacceptable, regardless of the religion," Dujarric added.

A video posted online on Sunday captured an Israeli soldier destroying the statue using a pickaxe in the Debel municipality of southern Lebanon. The Israeli military confirmed the act in a statement released on Monday.

This is not the first time when there was an incident related to the damage done to Christian religious objects in Lebanon.

In September 2024, the Mar Georges Church in the Lebanese town of Derdghaiya located in the Tyre district was demolished during Israeli airstrikes.