Israeli military chief flags misconduct risks during prolonged wars

Israel Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has warned of the risk of “unethical incidents” as Israel faces the prospect of prolonged, multi-front conflicts involving Iran, Lebanon, and Gaza.

Speaking during an operational update to senior military officers, Zamir emphasised that, alongside ensuring national security, safeguarding the military’s ethical standards remains a core responsibility.

“I am aware that this has been a long and complex period, but the unethical incidents we have seen are not justified. We must not compromise on our values. Erosion of values and standards can be as dangerous as operational threats,” he said.

His remarks follow a series of incidents involving Israeli troops. Last week, two soldiers were jailed for defacing a statue of Jesus Christ in southern Lebanon and photographing it. Days later, the military said it had opened an investigation after a video appeared to show troops using earth-moving equipment to damage solar panels and a vehicle in the same town.

On Sunday, the IDF stated it would “examine” any allegations of soldiers looting homes or businesses in areas under military control. Addressing the issue on Monday, Zamir said: “The phenomenon of looting, if it exists, is disgraceful. If such incidents occurred, we will investigate them.”

Reflecting on more than two and a half years of conflict, Zamir stressed that Israel remains engaged in what he described as “a multi-front operation,” with forces active in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, including the seizure of territory.

He also suggested the possibility of a prolonged military presence in these areas, stating: “We must be prepared to remain in these areas as long as sustained security for our communities has not yet been ensured.”

“We continue to remain prepared and vigilant for any scenario in all sectors — 2026 may continue to be a year of multi-front combat,” he added.

By Tamilla Hasanova