Crappy Israeli Soldiers Brawl in Gaza, Burning Food and Destroying Homes
"Let's turn on the lights, gaze upon this dark place, and torch it until it's nonexistent," one soldier described, as another poured oil over the flames.
These words were spoken by military personnel known as "soldiers," as they roamed through the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. They filmed themselves setting fire to essential food supplies in areas where the humanitarian situation is so dire that international organizations warn of impending starvation.
The video is just one of many that pop up online and have been reviewed by CNN, showcasing the disrespectful and aggressive behavior of Israeli soldiers towards Palestinian civilians. Other videos depict soldiers ransacking private homes, destroying personal property, and using hate-filled and racist language.
When CNN inquired about the videos and their origins, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) denied their authenticity, location, and involvement. They condemned the soldiers' actions for violating their regulations, but also stressed that those responsible would face consequences.
In a statement to CNN, the IDF explained, "The IDF has taken action in identifying misconduct and behavior that is not in line with the ethics and values expected from IDF soldiers. This process will continue."
Many of the videos seem to have originated from the soldiers themselves, as they were posted to social media. These videos have sparked outrage around the world, with critics fiercely condemning the IDF's conduct during the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza.
Israel began its military campaign against Hamas on October 7, after a terrorist attack on Israeli civilians left over 1,200 dead and about 240 missing or taken hostage. Since then, according to reports from the Gaza Health Ministry, 18,412 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. Although CNN could not independently verify these numbers, the Israeli military confirmed having targeted over 22,000 sites within the first six weeks of the conflict.
Although the IDF stated they did not target civilians in Gaza, the video evidence suggests otherwise. With footage showing soldiers disrespecting the normal way of life in Gaza, the situation continues to escalate, leaving Israelis and Palestinians alike deeply affected.
In one video, a soldier searches through a woman's wardrobe, including her underwear, and makes disrespectful comments about Arab women.
Another video shows an IDF soldier destroying a business in the Jabaliya neighborhood of northern Gaza. He riffles through shelves, tosses items on the ground, and even drops dolls on the floor with a laugh.
Other videos show kleptomaniacal soldiers driving through the rubble of destroyed buildings in their military vehicles, laughing as they knock over children's toys and make fun of the lack of clean water in private homes.
A photograph that surfaced online even depicted a soldier standing beside a Hebrew sign saying, "Don't Erase Graffiti, Let's Erase Gaza."
Dror Sadot from the Israeli human rights organization B'Tselem commented, "The videos are just a symptom of a bigger problem. It's not just disrespect and ignorance, it's dehumanization."
Sadot believes the Israeli military's conduct is a result of the Hamas' terrorist attack on October 7, which left over 1,200 dead and 240 missing. The extreme measures taken by the IDF have shocked the small nation of Israel, where virtually everyone knows someone who has been impacted by the violence in one way or another.
"If Israel is so brazen in its actions against Gaza, it's not surprising that soldiers come seeking revenge. The filming of these videos is an embarrassment to human decency and property," Sadot said.
Despite the growing number of casualties, international opposition, and mounting civilian death tolls, Israeli support for the IDF and its operations in Gaza remains overwhelming.
Former IDF General Israel Ziv stated, in an interview with CNN, that he was so disturbed by the videos that he contacted the IDF commander responsible for disciplining the soldiers involved.
"I was told that the brigade commander would discipline those responsible as soon as fighting ceased," Ziv said.
The Israeli Defense Forces confirmed to CNN that "disciplinary actions" would be taken against the soldiers involved. However, they declined to provide more details when CNN asked for more information on the specific measures being taken.
In addition, the IDF commented on another viral video of Israeli soldiers singing Jewish prayers in a mosque during Operation Protective Edge, stating that the soldiers involved had been arrested and disciplinary actions would be taken against them.
Gianluca Mezzofiore, Abeer Salman, Alex Marquardt, and Michael Kang all contributed to this CNN report.
