DEBEL — Israel's military launched an investigation on Wednesday after a photo showing a soldier desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon appeared online. The military said it viewed the incident gravely and promised action against the soldier.

The photo showed a soldier placing a cigarette into the mouth of the statue of the Virgin Mary while smoking one himself. An initial inquiry found that the photo was taken in the Christian-majority village of Debel several weeks ago. It was first shared online on Wednesday.

The incident followed a separate case last month in which another soldier was photographed damaging a statue of Jesus in Debel. One soldier used a sledgehammer to smash the statue of Jesus while another soldier filmed the act. The two soldiers involved in that incident were removed from combat duty and sentenced to 30 days in jail. Netanyahu's office issued a condemnation after public outcry over the destruction of the Jesus statue in Debel.

Israeli troops bulldozed solar panels in Debel that supply electricity for the town's water system. Troops also destroyed homes, roads and olive trees in the village. Israeli soldiers have desecrated religious sites in southern Lebanon and have destroyed or looted property in the area.

Israeli forces occupy large areas of southern Lebanon and have demolished entire villages there. Israeli forces have stepped up attacks on Lebanon, including in Beirut, and claim they are striking Hezbollah fighters and infrastructure in the country.