VIDEO Several Israeli soldiers filmed themselves playing with underwear found in homes in Gaza / Reaction of the UN and the Israeli army

Israeli soldiers have posted photos and videos of themselves playing with underwear found in Palestinian homes, creating a dissonant visual record of the war in Gaza.

In one video, an Israeli soldier sits in an armchair in a room in Gaza, grinning, a gun in one hand and dangling white satin underwear in the other over the open mouth of a comrade lying on a couch.

In another, another soldier stands on top of a tank holding a female mannequin in a black bra and helmet and says: “I found a beautiful wife, a serious relationship in Gaza, a wonderful woman.”

The two videos shot by Israeli soldiers are among dozens of posts in which Gaza troops are seen displaying underwear, mannequins and, in some cases, both.

The underwear images have been viewed tens of thousands of times – nearly half a million in one case – after they were posted by Younis Tirawi, who describes himself as a Palestinian reporter.

Contacted about the images he re-shared to his more than 100,000 followers on X between February 23 and March 1, Tirawi provided links to the original posts by the FDI soldiers. Reuters then independently verified eight of them posted on Instagram or YouTube.

“The posting of such images is degrading to Palestinian women and to all women,” said Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office.

The reaction of the Israeli army: “Inappropriate behavior”

Reuters sent details of the eight verified posts on YouTube or Instagram to the Israel Defense Forces, requesting a response.

In response, a spokesperson sent a statement saying that the IDF is investigating incidents that deviate from the orders and values ​​expected of IDF soldiers, as well as information about videos uploaded to social media.

“In cases where there are suspicions of crimes that justify the opening of an investigation, the military police open an investigation,” she said.

“It must be clarified that, in some of the cases examined, it is concluded that the expression or behavior of the soldiers in the video is inappropriate and is being handled accordingly,” the statement added.