Two Israeli soldiers were dismissed from combat duty and jailed after one smashed a statue of Jesus with a sledgehammer in the Christian village of Debl in southern Lebanon, with the second soldier photographing the act. The incident, which circulated widely on social media, prompted Netanyahu to express regret for any hurt caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world. The IDF stated the soldiers' conduct 'completely deviated from IDF orders and values.' The broader context of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon since late February 2026 is relevant to understanding the operational environment where this incident occurred.