Israel condemns soldier's desecration of crucifix

Israel's foreign minister and military have condemned the desecration of a crucifix smashed by an Israeli soldier in a southern Lebanese village home to Christians. The incident follows the earlier circulation of a photograph showing an IDF soldier using a sledgehammer to damage a statue of Jesus Christ, which the military had already confirmed as authentic. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also previously condemned the act in the strongest terms. The condemnations aim to address the diplomatic fallout from the soldier's actions during ongoing military operations in the region.