IDF Soldiers Steal Cigarettes to Motorcycles from Destroyed Homes in Lebanon

Israeli newspaper Haaretz has reported that regular and reserve soldiers of the Israeli occupying forces have looted a large amount of civilian property from homes and shops in southern Lebanon. This refers to statements given to the newspaper by soldiers and field commanders.

The government opposition newspaper explained that the theft of motorcycles, televisions, paintings, sofas, and carpets has become a widespread and frequent phenomenon. Field leaders are aware of it but have not taken disciplinary action to eliminate it.

Haaretz quoted witnesses who said that occupying soldiers loaded their vehicles with stolen equipment without attempting to hide it when leaving Lebanon.

One soldier was quoted as saying: “It’s on a crazy scale; anyone who takes something - a television, cigarettes, equipment or anything - immediately puts it in their vehicle or hides it aside, not inside the location, but it’s no secret. Everyone sees and understands.”

According to the soldiers, some commanders ignore the phenomenon, while others condemn it but do not punish the thieves.

The Israeli military claims they take disciplinary action when necessary, and that military police conduct searches “at the northern border when leaving the combat zone.”

However, ironically, some military police checkpoints established at exits from southern Lebanon to prevent looting have been removed, and no checkpoints at all have been set up at other exits.

“Here, they don’t even comment or get angry. Battalion commanders and brigade commanders know everything,” said one soldier. “In a field operation in Lebanon, a commander caught fighters leaving in a jeep with stolen goods. He yelled at them and ordered them to dump the stolen items, but that was the end of it; no investigation,” said another soldier.