The number of videos reaches into the hundreds. They depict members of the Israeli Army toasting while destroying homes in Gaza, mocking the absence of students in the classroom of a ruined school, rummaging through a Palestinian woman’s underwear drawer, or throwing bullets at the Strip while dressed as a dinosaur. In several instances, they openly claim responsibility for killings of Palestinians, including children.
Investigations indicate that soldiers upload these clips to their private networks or to specific Army Telegram channels. The questions that arise are clear: why is this happening? Are these isolated acts by individual soldiers or a deliberate, organized form of psychological warfare against Palestinians?
Khan Yunus |
Israeli soldiers blow up classrooms for fun. From where? Because they want to make TikTok videos like this. This post appeared on Ofek Yakolev’s TikTok. pic.twitter.com/u7RURqvWVY
—Yunus Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) January 19, 2024
Experts note signs of worrisome disciplinary decline and a diminishing regard for human life, emphasizing that a war should demand restraint and respect. Prompted by this, a prominent analyst suggests that the trend marks a rare and troubling deviation from what was once a more disciplined approach within the armed forces. The commentary highlights a shift in the perception of warfare and ethics in modern conflict.
In one clip, a soldier asks the camera, “Why is there no education in Gaza?” before showing the ruined university and declaring, “There will be no more engineers in Gaza.” In another, a boy jokes that there will be no more classes on the Strip.
Gaza |
“To those who ask why there is no education in Gaza. We bombed them. This sucks. This way you will never be an engineer again.”
Israeli soldier Yishai Shalev stands in front of Al Azhar University. pic.twitter.com/Bej2Jkb06N
—Yunus Tirawi | يونس (@ytirawi) January 5, 2024
Media outlets have echoed scenes of university destruction across Gaza, naming institutions such as Al-Isra, Islamic or Al-Azhar among those affected. This occurs within a context where hundreds of university professors have been reported killed in bombings, according to international monitoring bodies.
A comparison is drawn with historical wartime conduct, noting that in past conflicts there was no instantaneous network to broadcast such content. The discussion points to a concerning shift in modern warfare, where anger and vulnerability linked to the October 7 attacks appear to feed a new visibility of aggression, with some commentators arguing this echoes dark historical episodes while underscoring the complexities of accountability.
The second major factor raised concerns the absence of clear moral leadership, with some critics pointing to national leadership as a contributing factor in the persistence of heated rhetoric and a perceived reluctance to pursue dialogue. While many individuals within the armed forces are described as capable and conscientious, anxiety about strategic direction and political decisions is noted as a persistent undercurrent.
In a widely viewed clip, soldiers celebrate the destruction of a neighborhood in Abasan, south of Gaza, prompting questions about the ethical standards of the armed forces. The scene spurred discussions about what constitutes a moral military response in the face of mass violence.
’72 virgins – uncensored’
A key question is whether the publication of these videos reflects a breakdown in individual discipline or an orchestrated campaign directed by the military’s psychological warfare unit. There is evidence that a dedicated channel exists on a major messaging platform, published in Hebrew, which reportedly released raw footage intended for a domestic audience.
Within that material, images surface of alleged casualties among opposing fighters, paired with captions that mock the idea of victory in battle and hint at ideological narratives surrounding the conflict.
Countless TikTok videos circulated by members of the armed forces show people smiling on camera while taking part in acts that have been described by observers as war crimes or crimes against humanity. The volume of such posts has led to widespread concern and condemnation among observers and researchers alike.
A number of messages accompanying the footage reportedly include threats and dehumanizing language, suggesting a coordinated attempt to shape public perception and morale. The official stance of the Army denies direct involvement in the channel, though sources cited in investigative reports indicate that the authorship is under discussion and review within military circles.
The broader discourse highlights a trend toward heightened hostility in online spaces linked to the conflict, with scholars noting that digital militarism is expanding the reach of propaganda and conflict narratives. This term describes the use of digital tools and social networks by state actors and civilians to bolster war-related messaging, rally support, or celebrate violence. Observers caution that this trend reflects a collision of technology, nationalism, and warfare that demands careful scrutiny and accountability, especially as digital platforms amplify harmful content.