The Israeli army is investigating suspicions that a reserve officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel stole equipment from southern Lebanon and transported it into Israel, in a new incident that reopens the file of “looting” within the army’s ranks during military operations on the northern border.
According to what journalist Roi Sharon revealed in the “Israeli Broadcasting Corporation,” the officer, a reserve battalion commander, is suspected of taking an electric generator from Lebanon, loading it onto a military jeep and transporting it into Israeli territory.
The report indicated that military commanders later learned of the incident and instructed the officer to return the generator to Lebanon, while the Israeli army opened an investigation into the case.
A month ago, the Israeli Chief of Staff touched upon the phenomenon of looting during a meeting with military leaders, saying: “The phenomenon of looting, if it exists, is disgraceful and may tarnish the image of the entire Israeli army. If there are incidents like this, we will investigate them, and we will not ignore them.”
According to the report, the Chief of Staff asked each battalion commander to submit a detailed report on the status of his unit in this file, with the reports to be submitted through the chain of command up to the General Staff within a week. Data will also be collected in a special department within the Human Resources Division, while any violations related to looting will be referred to the military police for criminal investigation.
In its response to the report, the Israeli army said that “the incident is known and is being investigated by commanders,” adding that “the removal of the generator from Lebanese territory took place without a permit and in violation of established procedures.”
The statement added: “As soon as the incident was discovered, orders were issued to return the equipment, and the matter will be investigated in depth. The Israeli army views with seriousness any violation of orders or standards expected of its soldiers.”
This investigation comes weeks after the Israeli army opened another investigation into the actions of its forces in the Christian town of Dibal in southern Lebanon, following the documentation of acts of sabotage and attacks on civilian property and residential facilities without military justification, despite Israel allowing the town’s residents to remain there and not evacuating it.
Recordings from the town showed the destruction of homes and solar panels, in addition to reports of forcefully opening safes, smashing walls, uprooting doors, and writing slogans on walls.
