The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army Warns Subordinates Against Looting
According to a report by Reference News Network on April 30, Agence France-Presse reported on April 27 that the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, Eyal Zamir, issued a stern warning to the Israeli military on the 27th against looting, stating that spreading "suspicious" information on social media is crossing a "red line."
Zamir said in a statement: "If looting occurs, it is shameful and will tarnish the Israel Defense Forces as a whole. If such incidents happen, we will conduct an investigation."
Previously, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz cited testimonies from frontline troops and commanders stating that Israeli forces in southern Lebanon have been looting civilian property.
Videos have also appeared on social media showing Israeli soldiers joking with each other while destroying civilian homes, with the incidents seemingly taking place in southern Lebanon.
Other images show an Israeli soldier smashing a statue of Jesus that had fallen from a cross with a sledgehammer in southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military stated last week that two soldiers involved will be held in military detention for 30 days and will be relieved of their combat duties.
Zamir warned: "Israel Defense Forces soldiers and reservists must not use social media as a tool for spreading controversial information and self-promotion. This is a red line that cannot be crossed."
The Israeli human rights organization "Breaking the Silence" stated that since the IDF's ground invasion of Gaza in 2023, looting and other such behaviors have become "very common." (Translated by Pan Xiaoyan)
Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir issued a stern warning against looting and the dissemination of suspicious information on social media on April 27, 2023. Reports have emerged of IDF soldiers looting civilian property in Southern Lebanon, prompting military investigations. Two soldiers involved in misconduct will be detained for 30 days and removed from combat roles. Human rights groups have noted an increase in such behavior since the IDF's ground invasion of Gaza.
- Israeli Defense Forces Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir warned against looting and spreading suspicious information on social media.
- Reports indicate Israeli soldiers have been looting civilian property in Southern Lebanon.
- Two soldiers involved in misconduct will face military detention and removal from combat duties.
- Human rights organizations claim looting has been common since the IDF's ground invasion of Gaza in 2023.