Report: Israeli army closed most investigations into suspected looting by soldiers in Gaza and Lebanon

The Israeli military has closed most of the investigations it opened into suspected looting by soldiers during operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, with only two cases resulting in indictments, according to data reported by Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharonot.

The figures were released following a freedom of information request submitted by Israel’s Movement for Freedom of Information, the newspaper reported.

According to the military’s response, the Military Police opened 25 investigations into suspected looting in Gaza between 2023 and mid-2026. Three were opened in 2023, 19 in 2024, two in 2025 and one during the first half of 2026.

Only two of the Gaza investigations resulted in indictments, both filed in 2025, according to the report. Both cases were resolved through plea agreements.

In one case, a soldier was convicted of looting. In the other, the original charge was amended and the defendant was convicted of theft.

READ: Israel arrests 30 Palestinians in occupied West Bank, including journalist

In Lebanon, where Israeli ground operations expanded in late 2024, the Military Police opened two investigations into suspected looting — one in 2024 and another in 2025. Neither resulted in an indictment.

Overall, 27 investigations were opened across Gaza and Lebanon, of which two — approximately 7 percent — resulted in charges. Based on the figures provided, 25 investigations did not result in indictments.

The newspaper said the figures showed a substantial gap between the number of investigations opened and cases that ultimately led to prosecution. It suggested this could reflect difficulties gathering evidence during military operations or the priority given to pursuing such cases.

The disclosure follows comments in April by Israeli military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who described looting by soldiers as “shameful” and warned that such conduct could damage the reputation of the military.

Zamir instructed battalion commanders to report suspected cases and said allegations supported by evidence should be referred to the Military Police for criminal investigation.

READ: Israeli army demolishes 3 Palestinian buildings, detains 7 in West Bank