'We're addicted to explosions': Bellingcat's report on IDF's bombing of houses in Gaza

Bellingcat, an international investigative team, published a story on April 29, 2024, titled '"We’ve Become Addicted to Explosions" The IDF Unit Responsible for Destroying Homes Across the Gaza Strip.'

The article, featured on the Bellingcat website, originally included amateur video footage posted by soldiers on social media, depicting two servicemen amidst another bombing of houses. Numerous similar videos have been shared below.

Beginning with data on the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the publication discusses the involvement of the 8219th Engineer Battalion of the 551st Special Forces Reserve Brigade "Hetzei Ha-Esh" (98th Division "Ha-Esh") in the fighting in Gaza. Members of this unit frequently posted videos and photos of building explosions in Gaza on social media.

According to the article, since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, over 50% of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged.

"Bellingcat emphasizes, 'Behind every destroyed building, every destroyed minaret, every pile of rubble, there is a decision and action carried out by a specific unit or individual.'"

Experts at Bellingcat state they have geolocated every video or photo of building destruction in Gaza posted on social media, verifying the precise location. They then utilized satellite imagery from Planet Labs to determine the timing of each explosion.

Bellingcat underscores that the IDF must justify the justification, proportionality, and necessity of each bombing.

The investigation by Bellingcat is presented as a satellite map of the Gaza Strip, illustrating IDF bombings of buildings during Operation Iron Swords. The explosions initially focused on the northern part of the sector, then expanded to the Khuza'a area, southeast of Khan Yunis, in the south of the sector. Afterwards, Khan Yunis was targeted.

Citing an IDF report, the article states that during the 84 days of fighting in Gaza, soldiers of the 8219th Engineer Battalion destroyed 49 tunnels and 662 buildings. Jonathan Segal, a member of the unit, acknowledges that the battalion appears to have destroyed more houses in Gaza than any other IDF unit. In response to inquiries about whether revenge motivated the destruction of homes, Segal states, "Yes. But what is revenge? Revenge, so to speak, was to teach them a lesson so that they would never do it again." Notable destruction events include the demolition "in honor of the Sabbath," during which approximately 400 mines were simultaneously detonated.

Bellingcat sought comment from the IDF regarding each documented case of home destruction in Gaza. However, no specific response was received. The IDF emphasized that "terrorist infrastructure" located in residential areas is targeted for destruction, as terrorists frequently utilize homes for military purposes. The IDF asserted that its actions in the Gaza Strip aim to prevent Hamas from threatening Israeli citizens in the future and to enhance security in southern Israel. They maintain that their actions adhere to military necessity and international law. Additionally, the IDF stated that individual incidents during the war would be investigated, with potential "command and disciplinary measures" taken as necessary.

Losses of the 8219th Battalion of the 551st Brigade "Hetzei Ha-Esh" include 263 soldiers killed during Operation Swords of Iron in the Gaza Strip, including Reserve Sergeant Major David Schwartz, 26, from Elazar; Reserve Petty Officer Yakir Hexter, 26, from Jerusalem; and Petty Officer Eliyahu Benjamin Elmakayes, 29, from Jerusalem. Two soldiers from this battalion were seriously wounded.