An Israeli soldier has been pictured putting a cigarette into the mouth of a statue of the Virgin Mary, thought to be in the same village where a crucifix was smashed in southern Lebanon. 

The photograph was taken in the Christian village of Debel several weeks ago and emerged online on Wednesday.

Israeli Defence Force (IDF) leaders said they view the incident with the “utmost severity”, having identified the soldier. 

Father Fadi Felfeli, who leads Debel’s congregation, told the BBC the soldier’s actions were “unethical” and "shows that there are individuals within the [Israeli] army that lack ethics and values and are bigoted.” 

“Honestly, this issue really provoked us, especially after the apology regarding the cross.”

Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, IDF International spokesperson, said the military “views the incident with utmost severity and emphasizes that the conduct of the soldier completely deviates from the values expected of its personnel.

He said “command measures” will be taken against the soldier after an investigation takes place. 

“The IDF respects freedom of religion and worship, as well as holy sites and religious symbols of all religions and communities. The IDF operates to address the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols”, Shoshani added. 

A statue of Jesus Christ was smashed with a sledgehammer by an IDF soldier last month. It was condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, world leaders and Christian figures. 

Debel is one of the Christian villages that has not been evacuated, as Israeli forces continue operations in southern Lebanon. More than 120 people have been killed in the past week, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry. The IDF maintains it is conducting strikes against Hezbollah militants, having killed a commander in an overnight strike on Beirut. 

Reports suggest a clause to end the fighting in Lebanon is included in a proposed peace agreement between the US and Iran.