Israeli military investigates 27 looting cases in Gaza and Lebanon

Investigations by the Israeli military have revealed 27 cases of alleged looting and theft committed by soldiers in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon between 2023 and mid-2026. Data released following a request from the Movement for Freedom of Information shows that while 25 investigations were opened regarding Gaza, only two resulted in formal indictments. Both cases, occurring in 2025, concluded with plea bargains; in one instance, the soldier was convicted of looting, while in the other, the charge was reduced to theft.

Regarding operations in southern Lebanon, two investigations were opened in 2025 and 2026, neither of which led to indictments. Reports indicate a significant gap between the number of military police investigations and actual prosecutions. This discrepancy has raised concerns regarding the difficulty of gathering field evidence or a lack of institutional priority in pursuing these cases through the justice system.

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir previously stated that looting is a despicable phenomenon that tarnishes the reputation of the military and promised investigations into such incidents. However, critics note that the number of investigations decreased sharply in 2025 and 2026 compared to the peak in 2024, suggesting potential changes in military prosecution policies.