1 month ago
Last Updated: March 29, 2024, 10:42 IST
Jerusalem, Israel
An Israeli soldier holds underwear over the face of a fellow Israeli soldier in a screengrab from a video obtained by Reuters, released on January 10, 2024, said to be filmed in Gaza. (Reuters)
Israeli soldiers' disrespectful handling of lingerie and mannequins found in Palestinian homes sparks outrage amid heightened scrutiny of Israel's Gaza offensive
Israeli soldiers have been reportedly posting photos and videos of themselves playing with lingerie found in the homes of Gazans, causing outrage among Palestinian supporters amid the ravaging war.
An Israeli soldier, in a viral video, sits in an armchair in a room grinning, with a gun in one hand and dangling white satin underwear from the other over the open mouth of a comrade lying on a sofa. The video shot by Israeli soldiers is among dozens of posts in which troops in Gaza are shown displaying lingerie, and mannequins, according to media reports.
The lingerie images were reposted by Younis Tirawi, who describes himself as a Palestinian reporter. News agency Reuters then verified eight posted on Instagram or YouTube. “The posting of such images is demeaning to Palestinian women, and all women,” said Ravina Shamdasani, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson.
The UK-based news agency sent details of the eight verified posts on YouTube or Instagram to the Israel Defense Forces, requesting comment. In response, a spokesperson sent a statement saying the IDF investigates incidents that deviate from the orders and expected values of IDF soldiers, as well as reports of videos uploaded to social networks.
“In cases where suspicion of a criminal offense arises that justifies opening an investigation, an investigation is opened by the Military Police,” it said. “It should be clarified that in some of the examined cases, it is concluded that the expression or behaviour of the soldiers in the video is inappropriate, and it is handled accordingly,” the statement said.
The Israeli military reportedly declined to say whether it was referring to any of the concerning images, or whether any of the soldiers responsible have been disciplined. These objectionable posts come at a time when Hamas and Israel are both being accused of grave war crimes. A team of UN experts said this month in a report that there were reasonable grounds to believe sexual violence, including rapes and gang rapes, occurred at several locations during the October 7 attack by Hamas.
The UN experts also said there was convincing information that some Israeli hostages taken to Gaza had been subjected to sexual violence which may still be ongoing. Israel stands accused of pushing Gaza towards famine. The team of UN experts also said in its recent report, that it had received information from institutional and civil society sources and direct interviews in the West Bank about sexual violence against Palestinians by the IDF.
(With agency inputs)
