LONDON: A New York Times investigation has revealed videos of Israeli soldiers mocking Palestinians and celebrating the demolition of their homes and neighborhoods in Gaza.
Since Israel’s invasion in October, soldiers have been using social media platforms to share unsanctioned glimpses into their operations, sparking outrage and condemnation.
In footage analyzed by the newspaper, soldiers can be seen vandalizing shops and classrooms, making offensive remarks about Palestinians and advocating the construction of Israeli settlements in Gaza.
In one clip, a soldier is seen giving a thumbs up to the camera as he drives a bulldozer down a street in Beit Lahia, in northern Gaza, pushing a battered car toward a half-collapsed building.
The caption for the piece, which was shared on TikTok along with a military anthem, read: “I stopped counting how many neighborhoods I’ve erased.”
In November, a reservist DJ shared a video featuring a damaged house in Gaza, that was being used as a military base.
That clip was paired with a parody version of the Israeli song “This Was My Home” and widely circulated on social media.
The same person posted a separate video in November, showing soldiers dancing before a clip of a building being blown up.
A TikTok video used by South Africa in their case at the International Justice Court showed Israeli soldiers dedicating the demolition of a building to Eyal Golan, an Israeli singer who has called for Gaza’s total destruction.
A representative for the social media company said the footage violated its guidelines, including its policies on hate speech and behavior.
Since October, Israel has been using bulldozers to clear vast swathes of land and property in Gaza.
Nir Dinar, an Israeli military spokesperson, defended the actions, citing “operational necessity” and adherence to the laws of war.
“Every target that is being eliminated, there is a good reason for that elimination,” he said.
In response to The New York Times’ report, the Israeli military condemned the soldiers’ conduct and said it did not comply with the army’s orders and that the circumstances were being investigated.
The report is not the first to highlight some of the provocative acts carried out by Israeli soldiers.
In December, Israeli newspaper Haaretz exposed a social media account, titled “72 Virgins — Uncensored,” that was allegedly operated by the Israeli military to share graphic content depicting the killing of Hamas members and the destruction of the Gaza Strip.
