Israeli soldier loots gold from southern Lebanon homes: report

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper reported on Thursday that it received a message from a reserve soldier saying he witnessed the theft of gold bars by a fellow soldier from southern Lebanon. This came after the outlet published several news reports about soldiers looting homes and businesses in the region.

According to the daily, the military has launched an investigation into the looting incidents, though it was unaware of this particular event.

The looting of property is not a new phenomenon within the Israeli military.

Multiple reports in Israeli media have documented widespread theft during Israel’s Gaza genocide.

Israeli soldiers also revealed that their colleagues had looted large quantities of civilian belongings from houses and stores in southern Lebanon with the knowledge of their military commanders, Haaretz reported.

The Israeli army announced it has taken full control of 55 villages in southern Lebanon within what it calls the “yellow line", barring displaced residents from returning and targeting anyone who approaches the area.

“The accounts describe the theft of motorcycles, televisions, paintings, sofas and rugs on a wide scale, which has become routine. Both senior and junior commanders on the ground are said to be aware of the phenomenon but are not taking disciplinary action to curb it,” the daily said.

It added that this phenomenon is more widespread among reserve soldiers.

Israel’s Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, in response to Haaretz’s previous report, ordered a military police investigation into the looting in southern Lebanon, the newspaper reported.

“He also instructed the reinforcement of military police forces at all entry and exit points along the border and ordered thorough inspections of every vehicle entering and leaving the combat zone,” it added.

The Israeli army has killed more than 2,475 people, wounded nearly 7,700, and displaced over 1.6 million in attacks across Lebanon since March 2.

US President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon had been extended by three weeks following ambassador-level talks at the White House.

The initial US-brokered 10-day ceasefire, which began on April 16, followed talks between the Lebanese and Israeli governments in Washington.

___

Source: TRT