The Washington Post has published a chilling investigation, accompanied by photos and celebratory video clips of Israeli soldiers in Gaza, under the title: “Revenge, Fire, and Destruction: A Year of Israeli Soldiers’ Videos from Gaza.” The investigation, conducted and verified by journalists Loveday Morris, Sarah Cahlan, Jonathan Baran, and Louisa Loveluck, sheds light on troubling conduct by Israeli forces during the ongoing war on Gaza.
The report opens with a shocking account: “As their unit withdrew from northern Gaza late last year, Israeli reserve soldiers from the Negev Battalion 9208 fired tank shells and machine guns into what was once a residential area.”
One soldier shared a video on Facebook documenting the four-minute bombardment, accompanied by fire emojis. In the video, the soldier could be heard declaring over a communications system: “From now on, anyone who wants to mess with us will understand this is the result.”
Disturbing Images and Videos from Gaza
Over the past 14 months, since the launch of Israel’s invasion of Gaza, images and videos shared on social media by Israeli soldiers have repeatedly shown the destruction of entire buildings, including homes and schools. The footage also depicts looting, arson, and soldiers standing beside the bodies of Palestinian martyrs while calling for the extermination and expulsion of Palestinians.
Most of the imagery centers on a narrative of “revenge” for Hamas’s October 7 attacks on Israel, which the group framed as a response to years of aggression. Despite orders from Israeli military authorities prohibiting the publication of such “revenge” videos, soldiers have continued to share them. These materials now serve as a troubling archive, providing rare but alarming insights into the conduct of the Israeli military during one of the most destructive wars in recent memory.
Verified Evidence of Widespread Destruction
The Washington Post reviewed and verified over 120 photos and videos from Gaza, taken between October 2023 and October 2024, most of which were captured by soldiers or publicly shared on their personal accounts. These visuals depict soldiers celebrating as they ignite fires in buildings, occupying destroyed homes, and mocking Palestinians.
In interviews conducted with seven Israeli soldiers, combined with analysis of military leaders’ public statements, the investigation paints a grim picture of soldiers engaging in actions that often went far beyond military orders. Soldiers described following instructions to burn homes, with one soldier recounting being told: “When you leave a house, set it on fire.”
A soldier in Khan Yunis shared how gasoline was poured on furniture before setting homes ablaze, describing how “everything burns eventually.” He stated that the practice was justified on the grounds that abandoned equipment could potentially provide intelligence to the enemy. However, some soldiers expressed discomfort, with one saying he left his unit after witnessing widespread arson.
Celebratory Violence and Recklessness
Videos verified by the Washington Post show soldiers gleefully destroying property. In one video, a soldier standing in front of a burning building declared, “There’s only one solution for Gaza.” Another video, captured in January 2024, shows a multistory building collapsing in a cloud of dust following a controlled detonation, with soldiers cheering in the background.
The investigation also revealed evidence of soldiers looting personal belongings from homes, taking photos with stolen items, and mocking the destruction. Soldiers reportedly used women’s underwear from looted homes as props in their videos, adding a further layer of dehumanization to their conduct.
Legal and Ethical Violations
Experts in international law reviewed the footage and highlighted potential violations of humanitarian law, including disproportionate destruction of civilian infrastructure and mistreatment of detainees and the dead.
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- Chantal Meloni, a professor of law at the University of Milan, stated: “The destruction of civilian infrastructure seen in the videos raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law.”
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- Mark Ellis, an international criminal law expert, described a video showing over 100 Palestinian men detained in harsh conditions as “particularly egregious,” noting that detainees must be protected from humiliation and violence under the laws of war.
Footage used by South Africa in a submission to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accuses Israel of genocide, citing videos showing the destruction of homes, mistreatment of detainees, and other acts.
Revenge-Driven Mindset
Soldiers interviewed for the investigation acknowledged being driven by revenge, citing the loss of friends during Hamas’s attacks. One soldier admitted: “There’s this overwhelming sense of revenge against everyone.” Another revealed that their unit burned at least 20 homes over five months, claiming it was ordered by superiors.
The recklessness extended to targeting homes based on arbitrary criteria. For example, homes displaying Hamas flags or images of Hamas leaders like Ismail Haniyeh were burned, while those with pictures of Yasser Arafat were left to the soldiers’ discretion.
Calls for Resettlement and Expulsion
In some videos, soldiers called for Israeli settlers to return to Gaza, with one soldier vowing that his unit would not stop until their mission of “invasion, expulsion, and settlement” was complete. These sentiments align with statements from Israeli right-wing politicians, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who has openly advocated for the “voluntary migration” of Palestinians.
At a January 2024 “victory” conference, Smotrich and other far-right figures praised the destruction of Gaza as necessary for securing Israel’s future, further stoking calls for the displacement of Palestinians.
International Implications
The release of such videos has fueled calls for accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the ICJ, with human rights organizations urging action against what they describe as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israeli officials, however, have downplayed the footage, labeling it as the result of “isolated incidents.”
The Washington Post noted that the Israeli military has sought to limit the release of controversial videos, fearing their impact on ongoing investigations by international courts. However, the widespread sharing of such materials on social media has already created a vast trove of evidence.
