Israel psychological warfare: What do Israeli forces aim to achieve by wearing women’s clothes?

Photos of soldiers posing in women’s clothing in homes belonging to Palestinian and Lebanese civilians during the Israeli Invasion in Gaza and southern Lebanon have drawn a huge backlash on social media. These images are considered a psychological attack targeting the occupied society, humiliating it, and targeting its cultural values. It is stated that such actions by the Israeli forces are against international law.

These images of the Israeli forces taken in Gaza and South Lebanon have caused a huge stir on social media. After raiding the homes of Palestinian or Lebanese families, Israeli soldiers pose for photos dressed in women’s clothing and share them on social media. What lies behind this behavior? Is this an individual act, or does it have a deeper meaning in the structure of the Israeli forces?

These photographs, examined from psychological and sociological perspectives, have aggressive humiliation and mockery. The Israeli forces resort to such behavior to humiliate the displaced or occupied population, to destroy their cultural symbols and dignity. This shows that war has not only a physical but also a psychological dimension.

WHAT DO THESE PHOTOS MEAN?

Analysis of what these photos represent:

Demonstration of Power and Control: Soldiers posing for photos in occupied homes while dressed in women’s clothing sends a message to the people who have become refugees that their privacy and belongings have been completely taken over.

Humiliation and Dehumanization of the Victim: Such behavior is used to humiliate the occupied people and ridicule their cultural values.

Relieving Psychological Pressure and Tension: Such mocking behaviors can also be used by soldiers as a kind of psychological defense mechanism to cope with the tension and stress brought on by war.

Creating an Impact in the Media: Sharing such images on social media aims to reinforce the superiority of the Israeli forces by giving viewers a message of power and indifference, beyond humiliating the occupied people.

Use of Cultural Symbols: In Arab culture, women’s clothing is seen as a symbol of honor and chastity. The use of such symbols by soldiers as a mockery is a direct attack on the honor of the occupied society.

WHERE ELSE HAVE SUCH ACTIONS OCCURRED?

Such humiliation and mocking of symbolic values ​​have been seen in other countries in the past.

For example:

Iraq War (2003-2011): Photographs of American soldiers humiliating and psychologically torturing Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib Prison drew international criticism.

Bosnian War (1992-1995): Serbian forces committed genocide against Muslim Bosnians, aiming to humiliate cultural and religious symbols.

South Africa (Apartheid Era): Humiliation and degrading practices towards black people were common during the apartheid regime.

Algerian War (1954-1962): French soldiers attempted to psychologically intimidate the Algerian people by attacking their cultural and religious symbols.

IS IT AGAINST INTERNATIONAL LAW?

IV GENEVA CONVENTION

Yes, such behaviors are unlawful regarding international law and human values. International humanitarian law and the 1949 Geneva Conventions require the protection of the dignity of civilians and their property. Such actions can be considered violations of human rights and are considered war crimes. In particular, Article 27 of the Geneva Conventions requires respect for the dignity and private property of civilians and prohibits such degrading behaviors.