Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that regular and reserve soldiers of the Israeli occupation army are looting large quantities of civilian property from homes and shops, according to testimonies from soldiers and field commanders.

The newspaper explained that stealing motorcycles, televisions, paintings, sofas, and carpets has become a widespread recurring phenomenon, and that both senior and junior field leadership are aware of it, yet they take no disciplinary action to eliminate it.

In response, the newspaper quoted the Israeli army as saying it takes disciplinary and criminal action when necessary, and that the military police conduct inspections “at the northern border crossing when leaving combat zones.”

However, the irony pointed out by the newspaper is that some military police checkpoints set up at exit points from southern Lebanon to prevent looting have been removed, and no checkpoints were ever established at other exit points.

Israeli soldiers stand to attention during a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem on April 21, 2026.
Israeli army soldiers at the military cemetery in Jerusalem, last Tuesday.

Looting in the Open

Regarding the details of the thefts, the newspaper quoted witnesses saying that occupation army soldiers load their vehicles with stolen equipment without attempting to hide it while leaving.

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

According to the soldiers, some commanders ignore this phenomenon, while others condemn it but refrain from punishing the thieves.

One soldier testified: “With us, they don’t even comment or get angry. The battalion commander and brigade commander know everything.” Another said: “In one field case in Lebanon, a commander caught fighters leaving in a jeep with items. He yelled at them and ordered them to throw away the loot, but that was the end of it; it didn’t lead to an investigation.” A third soldier added: “Commanders speak openly against this phenomenon and say it’s serious, but they do nothing.”

No Punishment for Thefts

Haaretz quoted soldiers saying that looting is not part of the official policy of the Israeli army, but they noted it is exacerbated by weak enforcement of the law.

One witness explained that “the battalion commander and brigade commander complain and get angry, but without actions, these remain just empty words.” Another soldier added that “leniency in enforcing the law sends a clear message. If they had dismissed or imprisoned someone, or deployed military police at the border, it would have stopped immediately. But when there is no punishment, the message is clear.” Indeed, the soldiers estimated that the variation in the scale of looting between units—nearly non-existent in some, while widespread in others—is largely linked to the level of law enforcement by commanders and the standards they instill in their subordinates.

Diggers remove the rubble of buildings destroyed in Israeli strikes as they look for survivors buried underneath in the southern Lebanese coastal city of Tyre on April 21, 2026.
Excavators remove rubble from buildings destroyed by Israeli airstrikes in the city of Tyre in southern Lebanon.

Theft for Service

The newspaper noted that some soldiers linked the continuation of fighting since October 7, 2023, to the decision not to involve military police in investigating looting committed by reserve soldiers.

One said: “Soldiers have been serving here for over 500 days, and commanders today—whether company, battalion,

Mount Herzl

Mount Herzl is Israel’s national cemetery and the primary memorial site for the country’s fallen soldiers and leaders, located in Jerusalem. Named after Theodor Herzl, the visionary of modern political Zionism, whose grave is located at the top of the hill, the site was established in 1949. It also houses the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and other significant national monuments, making it a central symbol of Israeli memory and heritage.

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is one of the world’s oldest and most contested cities, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It is a holy city for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, housing key religious sites such as the Western Wall, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and the Dome of the Rock. The city has been conquered and ruled by numerous empires, including the Israelites, Romans, Byzantines, and Ottomans, and remains a focal point of modern political and cultural significance.

Tyre

Tyre is an ancient Phoenician city located in present-day Lebanon, renowned for its historical significance as a major maritime and trading power. Founded around 2750 BCE, it was famous for producing Tyrian purple dye and played a key role in the spread of Phoenician culture across the Mediterranean. Today, its archaeological ruins, including a Roman hippodrome and necropolis, are a UNESCO World Heritage site, reflecting its layered history under Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule.