South Lebanon (QNN)- Israeli soldiers have been looting large amounts of civilian property from homes and businesses in southern Lebanon during the recent assault, according to a Haaretz report. The looting is widespread among Israeli forces, with similar incidents previously reported in Syria, Gaza, and during the previous assault in Lebanon.
Haaretz said, citing soldiers and commanders in the area, that regular and reserve soldiers have been looting large amounts of civilian property.
The testimonies indicate that the widespread theft of motorcycles, televisions, paintings, sofas, and carpets has become routine. Both senior and junior commanders on the ground are aware of the practice but have failed to take disciplinary action to stop it.
Some military posts set up at exit points from southern Lebanon to prevent looting have been removed, while in other locations no such posts were established at all.
According to the testimonies, as Israeli soldiers leave Lebanon, they load stolen items onto their vehicles openly, without attempting to conceal them. "It's on a crazy scale," one soldier said. "Anyone who takes something – televisions, cigarettes, tools, whatever – immediately puts it in their vehicle or leaves it off to the side, not inside the army base, but it's not hidden. Everyone sees it and understands."
The soldiers added that the looting has been spreading due to a "lack of enforcement."
The soldiers said that the looting has also been fueled by the extensive destruction of infrastructure and property during assault. "Soldiers tell themselves, 'What difference does it make if I take it? It's going to be destroyed anyway.'"
Last year, Israeli reports confirmed that forces were looting during the invasions of Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria. The looting was so widespread that soldiers joked the items “broke their backs” from carrying them. This included boxes of cash valued at nearly $28m, gold bars, luxury jewellery and 183,000 pieces of weaponry.
A report in 2025 by Hamakom Hachi Ham Bagehenom (The Hottest Place in Hell) also compiled numerous testimonies of thefts committed by members of the Israeli forces during the assault on Gaza and Lebanon. These included large sums of cash, jewellery, electronic devices, and even vehicles. These items were later sold on Telegram channels, Facebook Marketplace, or in public sales.
