Israeli soldiers have taken to Google reviews to post sarcastic and mocking comments about locations in southern Lebanon that they reportedly damaged or destroyed. In one review, a user named Gabi Weisskopf, labeled as a local guide, ridicules the destruction of the Ahel al-Quran Mosque near Yarine, writing, “No mosque, only rubble and a blocked tunnel entrance. I went for nothing. Do not recommend.” Another user, Elad Biton, jests about Mays al-Jabal’s public hospital, lamenting the lack of “good conditions” but adding with satisfaction, “there was (a lot) [of fire].”
These comments highlight the irreverent tone with which some soldiers have documented their presence in Lebanon. Since Israel’s renewed conflict with Hezbollah escalated in October, resulting in over 3,000 Lebanese casualties and extensive damage, such posts have amplified global outrage. Human rights experts argue that these soldiers’ actions could constitute violations of international law.
A Digital Trail of Devastation and Disdain
Lebanese sites affected by the ongoing Israeli ground invasion have become targets of cruel “reviews” from Israeli soldiers. One review from a user named Tomer8009 critiques the gym facilities at Ramya, noting the “terrible synergy between Merkavas [tanks] and tunnels” while posting a photo of a tank in the gym’s ruins. The gym, once a local fitness hub, now lies in rubble following Israeli shelling, which Tomer8009 still rates at four stars. Similarly, Doron Blumshtein sarcastically thanks a Lebanese cabin owner “for the donation,” noting “the soldiers had a great time,” despite “no water in the pool” and “broken windows.”
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The disturbing trend includes social media posts where soldiers mock Lebanese property and belongings. Videos posted on platforms like TikTok show soldiers wearing looted clothing, playing destroyed pianos, and detonating buildings, drawing further criticism of Israeli forces’ conduct and raising ethical concerns about their use of social media.
Potential Violations of International Law
Legal experts warn that these posts may breach international protocols on military conduct and protection of civilian property. An investigation by a prominent media outlet found that TikTok and other social media videos documenting the looting and mockery might legally qualify as evidence of war crimes. Under international law, acts that humiliate and mock civilians or degrade protected sites, such as hospitals and places of worship, could be punishable.
Meanwhile, an Al Jazeera documentary highlighted the potential legal implications of these digital posts. The mockery of the hospital in Mays al-Jabal and the mosque in Yarine, both of which served significant roles in their communities, underscores the broader cultural and humanitarian toll of Israel’s military operations in Lebanon. Reports estimate that Israel’s bombing campaign alone, prior to the ground invasion, has caused billions in damages.
Global Response to a Troubling Digital Record
International criticism has mounted in response to these posts, with calls for Israel to enforce stricter conduct among soldiers and address the ethical concerns arising from these digital records. While Israeli officials have yet to publicly respond to the mockery displayed on Google and social media, global rights organizations call for accountability. The reviews and posts on social media platforms reflect a trend that goes beyond military objectives, focusing instead on the personal gratification of soldiers documenting their acts, drawing outrage from Lebanese communities and the broader international community alike.
The reviews have ignited a debate over the limits of social media conduct during warfare, further complicating the already fraught dynamics of the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian impacts. As the conflict continues, international bodies may further investigate and address these disturbing patterns to maintain accountability and uphold the principles of human rights.