Carpets, Devices, and Furniture.. Israeli Confessions of Looting Operations in Lebanon

SadaNews - The Israeli newspaper "Haaretz" revealed, based on testimonies from soldiers and field commanders, extensive looting operations of civilian property from homes and shops in Southern Lebanon, amid what they described as the absence of deterrent measures within the Israeli army.

According to the testimonies, the looting operations included motorcycles, televisions, artwork, furniture, and carpets, as these practices have become "routine" and widespread, with field commanders being aware but failing to take decisive steps to stop them.

Soldiers explained that some elements are openly transporting the stolen goods as they leave Lebanese territory, without attempting to hide them. One of them stated, "It happens on a crazy scale... everyone sees it and understands what is happening."

Others indicated that the reactions of the commanders vary between total disregard or verbal condemnation without actual measures, stressing that some leaders are fully aware of what is happening without opening investigations or imposing penalties.

In one incident mentioned in the testimonies, a soldier said that a commander caught elements transporting belongings in military vehicles and merely reproached them and asked them to dispose of the items, without taking any legal action.

The testimonies confirmed that these practices do not represent an official policy of the Israeli army, but they are exacerbated by weak oversight and lack of accountability, which encourages their spread.

In contrast, the Israeli army stated in a press release that it takes any assault on civilian property or acts of looting "very seriously," confirming that such actions are "strictly prohibited," and that any allegations are investigated and disciplinary and criminal actions are taken when substantiated.

They added that military police conduct inspections at northern crossing points when troops exit Lebanon, yet testimonies indicated the removal or absence of some of these points in other locations.

Some soldiers linked the spread of this phenomenon to the prolonged military operations since October 2023, in addition to a decline in discipline, especially among reserve forces, amid commanders' hesitation to impose penalties that could affect the units' readiness.

They also pointed out that the scale of destruction in areas that have experienced military operations contributed to some soldiers justifying looting operations, under the pretext that the property "will be destroyed anyway."

This coincided with a change in the nature of operations in Southern Lebanon, where soldiers spend long periods in deserted civilian areas after their residents have fled, amid a decline in the pace of direct confrontations.