Since the start of the war in Gaza over six months ago, Israeli soldiers have filmed and posted hundreds of videos of destruction in Gaza online, with many mocking the destruction of the enclave. The IDF says it's addressing the issue with sanctions.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Israeli soldiers have been capturing and sharing videos depicting the destruction in Gaza on social media platforms, a practice that has drawn scrutiny over the past six months since the onset of the war in the region. These videos often portray the damage in a mocking tone, celebrating the devastation and the acts of violence. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have acknowledged the issue, stating they have implemented sanctions against those involved, although specific details on the number of individuals sanctioned were not disclosed.

Among the content shared online by members of the Israeli military are instances where Palestinian properties are ridiculed, and the artillery fire is treated with levity. Some videos even showcase Israeli soldiers displaying personal items looted from homes in Gaza, including items as personal as watches and lingerie. This behavior has provoked criticism and concern about the influence of extremist ideologies within the military forces.

Uri Govarti, a former soldier now working with an organization seeking to address negligence within the armed forces, highlights the correlation between these actions and the rise of far-right sentiments in Israel. Govarti points out the increasing prevalence of nationalist and ultra-nationalist ideologies among military commanders, which he believes contributes to a culture that condones destruction and seeks revenge.

Despite the IDF's efforts to discipline those who have engaged in this conduct, new videos illustrating the war's destruction in Gaza continue to surface online. The IDF remarks on the challenge of completely preventing such undisciplined actions, given the large number of soldiers involved in the operations in Gaza since the conflict began.



IDF soldiers chronicle Gaza destruction on social media

Videos like these are among hundreds filmed by members of the Israeli armed forces and posted on the internet. Palestinians are mocked, destruction is a celebration and launching artillery is an opportunity to have a laugh. Yet more exhibit possessions taken from homes in Gaza, from watches to lingerie. Former soldier Uri Govarti works for an organisation that campaigns against negligence in the armed forces. He says the behaviour in these clips comes with the rise of the far right in Israel. Nationalist, ultra-nationalist ideas that are spread throughout the military, of course it means that there are more commanders in the military that actually support destruction, support working for a place of revenge, those are things that we haven't seen in the past. The Israel Defence Forces say they've called their soldiers to order and have sanctioned some of them, without saying how many. There is destruction, but it's an army of the people. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers have operated in Gaza since October the 7th. We can't 100% avoid undisciplined behaviour. More than six months after the start of the war, videos like these continue to appear.

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Baja California

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Wenchang

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London

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Ankara

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Paris

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Arizona

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Washington

Biden breaks silence on protests at University Campuses

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Zaporizhzhia

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Council of the City of Sydney

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Canberra

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Odesa

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Edinburgh

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Israel-Gaza War