IDF troops filmed ‘cheering Gaza destruction’ – NYT — RT World News

Hundreds of videos filmed and shared by Israeli soldiers in Gaza showed troops demolishing homes and taunting Palestinian victims, according to research by The New York Times. The IDF has distanced itself from the content, some of which violates its code of conduct.

The Times said it had reviewed “hundreds” of videos, including more than 50 clips of Israeli engineering forces using bulldozers, excavators and explosives to destroy homes, schools and other civilian buildings. Some of the footage reportedly shows soldiers “Vandalizing local shops and school classrooms.” And “Making insulting comments about Palestinians.”

In one video posted on TikTok, a soldier is seen giving a thumbs-up while driving a bulldozer in northern Gaza. The caption accompanying the clip reportedly said “I've stopped counting the number of neighborhoods I've surveyed.”

Another clip shows an Israeli soldier declaring that the Shujaiya neighborhood in Gaza is a neighborhood “gold” While his camera passed over the rubble from afar. The man is also heard saying “Nahal Oz, with God’s help you will get this.” This destruction appears to have been intended for a nearby Israeli kibbutz. Some soldiers shared videos of themselves dancing with destroyed buildings in the background, while others posted memes and music videos showing the demolition of homes and other buildings in Gaza.

The Shujaiya video and other footage filmed by IDF forces have been cited in South Africa's ongoing genocide case against Israel before the International Court of Justice, which accuses West Jerusalem of violating the Genocide Convention. In its 85-page legal filing, Pretoria described the clips as… “A form of video 'snuff'” And “Genocide Discourse” Pointing out that soldiers were heard celebrating the demolition of more than 50 homes in Gaza in one clip, in addition to singing the lyrics. “We will destroy all of Khan Yunis.”

Some of the videos appear to contravene IDF regulations governing social media posts by individuals, which explicitly prohibit conduct that “It harms human dignity” Or that could affect “The image and perceptions of the Israeli army in the eyes of the public.”

The Israeli military condemned the footage in a written statement to The Times, saying it was investigating the matter “conditions” From the video clips, noting that they are not in line with army orders.

“The actions of the force shown in the footage are deplorable.” The IDF added.

The devastation of residential areas shown in the videos is reflected in UN statistics on the war, with the agency estimating that more than 60% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged in Israeli operations. This amounts to about 300,000 homes and apartments, while about 85% of the Strip’s population of 2.2 million people were forced to flee their homes.

The Israeli army launched its military operation following the terrorist attack launched by Hamas last October, which killed about 1,200 people in Israel, and saw more than 200 people taken hostage by Palestinian fighters. So far, more than 27,000 Gazans have been killed in the Israeli response, with thousands more injured or believed to be trapped under rubble, according to local health officials.