The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that regular and reserve soldiers in the Israeli army have been looting civilian property from homes and shops in southern Lebanon, with the knowledge of their commanders and without any prevention or accountability.
Citing testimonies, the Israeli paper said on Thursday the theft of items such as motorcycles, televisions, furniture, and carpets has become widespread.
It added that both senior and junior commanders are aware of the phenomenon but have largely failed to take so-called “decisive disciplinary” action.
In response, the Israeli army said it takes disciplinary and criminal measures when necessary, noting that military police conduct searches “at the northern border crossing upon leaving combat zones.”
However, Haaretz highlighted inconsistencies, reporting that some anti-looting checkpoints at exit points from southern Lebanon have been removed, with no equivalent measures elsewhere.
Witnesses cited by the newspaper said Israeli soldiers often load stolen items openly into their vehicles as they leave Lebanese territory.
“It’s on a crazy scale… it’s no secret; everyone sees and understands,” one soldier said, as quoted by Haaretz.
Testimonies indicate that while some commanders condemn the practice, enforcement remains weak. “The battalion and brigade commanders know everything,” one soldier said, while another noted that commanders speak against the phenomenon publicly but take no concrete action. Others stressed that the lack of punishment effectively enables its continuation.
Soldiers said the scale of looting varies by unit, depending on how strictly commanders enforce discipline. In some units, it is nearly absent; in others, it is pervasive.
Several testimonies linked the trend to the prolonged duration of operations since October 7, 2023, and the limited role of military police in investigating reservists.
“Soldiers have been serving for over 500 days… discipline has collapsed, and commanders prefer to quietly close cases to ensure soldiers return for future deployments,” one said.
Others pointed to the extensive destruction in southern Lebanon, with some soldiers rationalizing that taking property makes little difference amid widespread damage.
Haaretz concluded that looting has increased as the nature of operations has shifted. With fewer direct confrontations, soldiers have spent extended periods in largely deserted civilian areas following the displacement of residents, creating conditions that have facilitated the phenomenon.
Source: Hebrew media (translated and edited by Al-Manar)