A shocking image of an Israeli soldier vandalising a statue of Jesus Christ in South Lebanon has gone viral. But is it real, or did someone use AI to generate the shocking picture? Now, the IDF has confirmed that they are currently investigating the truth behind the photograph and have vowed that they will take action once the unnamed soldier is identified.
The photograph was originally posted by Palestinian reporter Younis Tirawi on his official X account.Tirawi's postconfirmed that the image was taken in southern Lebanon and that the man vandalising the statue is an Israeli soldier.
Tirawi also indicated thatthe statue belongs to the Christian town of Debel, who posted a photograph of the statue before it was vandalised. 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34)',' the page reportedly remarked in the post.
Lebanon |An Israeli soldier smashing the head of a Jesus Christ statue during operations in southern Lebanon.pic.twitter.com/Sj1m16tj9q
Online reaction was swift. 'You don't have to be Christian to see what this represents: disrespect, dehumanization, and impunity,' one user commented. 'Actions like this fuel hatred far beyond any battlefield.'
'This guy literally had to go out of his way to do this. Disgusting,' another remarked.
'Let me get this straight, the statue was unharmed under hezbollah in southern lebanon and as soon as it was under israeli control they destroyed it?' another netizen wrote. 'And israelis are telling us hezbollah is the enemy of christians even though they were the ones who saved christians from ISIS?'
'Smashing Jesus' statue with a hammer in Lebanon.Trump, the "Christian" president, still all-in on Israel. Christian supporters quiet as usual when it doesn't fit the narrative,' one commented.
It did not take long before officials caught wind of the viral post. Israel Defense Forces Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the official spokesperson for the IDF, responded to the post almost immediately.
The IDF is currently examining the reliability of the photograph.If this is indeed a real, recent picture, these actions do not align with the IDF's values and the behavior expected of IDF soldiers.The incident will be investigated thoroughly and in depth, and if…
Source: International Business Times UK
