Israeli military probes soldier after Virgin Mary statue photo in southern Lebanon
Israel's military has launched an investigation after a photo circulated online showing a soldier placing a cigarette into the mouth of a Virgin Mary statue in southern Lebanon.
The military said it viewed the incident "gravely" and promised action against the soldier, according to the supplied material.
An initial inquiry said the photo was taken in the Christian-majority village of Debel several weeks ago, although it was only shared online on Wednesday.
The image shows the soldier smoking while appearing to place a cigarette into the statue's mouth.
No disciplinary outcome has been announced in the supplied rows.
The case has drawn attention because it involves a religious symbol in an area where tensions remain high and where images of alleged misconduct can quickly deepen anger.
The supplied material says this is the latest in a series of reported incidents involving Israeli soldiers desecrating religious sites and damaging or looting property in southern Lebanon.
It also says another soldier was photographed damaging a statue of Jesus in Debel last month.
According to the same rows, Lebanese media have reported that Israeli troops bulldozed solar panels in Debel that supply electricity for the town's water system, and destroyed homes, roads and olive trees.
