The Israeli Army has announced that it has verified the authenticity of an image circulating on social networks depicting an Israeli soldier striking a statue of Jesus with a mallet in southern Lebanon. In the image, the soldier appears with a mallet about to strike the head of a statue of a crucified Jesus that had fallen from its cross.

The Army stated that "appropriate measures will be taken against all those involved," without providing further details, and assured they are working with the community to "restore the statue to its place." The image has been widely shared on X since it was posted by Palestinian journalist Yunis Tirawi on Sunday.

Even Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised "severe measures" against the soldier filmed while striking the statue of Jesus with a mallet.

"I was shocked and saddened to learn that an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) soldier had damaged a Catholic religious symbol in southern Lebanon," Netanyahu wrote on X. "I condemn this act in the strongest terms. Military authorities are conducting a criminal investigation and will take severe disciplinary measures against the perpetrator," he added.

Apparently, with his apology, the figure responsible for the actions in Gaza does not want to stir the indignation of the Christian world, which his American counterpart currently faces following the publication of several blasphemous AI-generated images on social networks.

One must ask: will the supposedly respectful Netanyahu ever apologize for the 64,000 boys and girls throughout the Gaza Strip—including at least 1,000 infants—killed or mutilated in the Gaza Strip at the hands of the IDF?

Will it be possible to restore their lives anywhere, beyond the dread that such horror causes humanity?

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSi Translation Staff