Soldiers and officers described widespread, routine theft of belongings, including motorbikes, televisions, paintings, sofas and carpets.
Despite being aware of the practice, both senior and junior commanders have largely failed to take disciplinary action to curb it, according to testimonies.
As Israeli troops leave Lebanon, they openly load stolen goods onto their vehicles without attempting to conceal them.
“It’s on a crazy scale,” one soldier said. “Anyone who takes something – televisions, cigarettes, tools, whatever – immediately puts it in their vehicle or leaves it to the side. It’s not hidden. Everyone sees it and understands.”
“In our unit, they don’t even comment or get angry. The battalion and brigade commanders know everything,” one person said.
Another described a case in which a commander shouted at soldiers carrying looted items in a jeep and ordered them to discard them, but no further action was taken.
“Commanders speak against it and say it’s serious, but they don’t do anything,” another soldier said.
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