Israeli soldier filmed burning Quran in Gaza

A video published on social media appears to show an Israeli soldier standing in the ruins of a mosque in Gaza, throwing pages of the Quran into a fire. 

According to the Israeli broadcaster Kan, the soldier posted the footage on his Instagram account. The incident was condemned by Israeli military police, who said they were investigating.

Israel’s Military Police have opened an investigation after a video showing a soldier throwing a Quran into a fire in a mosque in Gaza was published on social media.

They stated that the soldier's behaviour is not in line with their values and “the IDF respects all religions” pic.twitter.com/BlTCDBK0Ln

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) May 23, 2024

"The soldier's behaviour is not in line with the IDF's values," the Israeli army said in a statement.

"The IDF respects all religions and condemns such behaviour. An IDF investigation has been opened regarding the incident."

Since the beginning of the war in Gaza on 7 October, which has resulted in more than 35,000 people killed and vast swathes of the enclave ruined, there have been multiple incidents of apparent religious sectarianism carried out by Israeli soldiers.

In March, videos appeared on social media - also apparently posted by Israeli soldiers - showing one soldier tearing apart a copy of the Quran in a mosque in Gaza.

An Israeli soldier was caught on camera tearing apart a Holy Quran and throwing it onto the floor of a mosque that was raided and demolished by Israeli forces in Gaza. Israeli soldiers uploaded the footage to their group chats and social media profiles. pic.twitter.com/vGIMN8y91i

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 18, 2024

The authorities in Gaza said in March that Israeli attacks had completely destroyed 223 mosques and partially destroyed another 289.

Many of the mosques that were destroyed are among the oldest in the region. The Omari Mosque, destroyed in December, was first constructed in the seventh century.