IDF Soldiers Film "Gender Reveal" While Demolishing Gaza Building
Authentic video from May 2025 shows IDF soldiers detonating a Gaza building and joking that the resulting blue smoke makes it a "gender reveal party." The video drew international criticism. No IDF statement on this specific video was found; the IDF generally says it demolishes structures used by militants.
In May 2025, a video circulated widely on social media showing Israeli Defense Forces soldiers detonating a structure in Gaza. As blue smoke rose from the explosion, soldiers laughed and joked that it looked like a "gender reveal party." The video is widely reported as genuine footage filmed by soldiers, though details (for example whether the blue smoke came from the demolition charge or a separate smoke grenade) were reported inconsistently.
No public IDF statement on this specific video could be located; contemporary reports said Israeli officials had not commented. The IDF generally says it demolishes structures used by Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. (Siasat)
The video drew widespread criticism and condemnation for what many observers described as soldiers laughing amid the destruction of Gaza — even if the targeted structure was a legitimate military target. Some human rights organizations and commentators have cited such videos as evidence of desensitization among soldiers in a prolonged urban conflict.
The incident is one of several documented cases of Israeli soldiers posting or filming inappropriate content in Gaza during the conflict. The IDF has said in response to other soldier-filmed videos that such conduct violates its values and that it has taken disciplinary action in some cases. Critics have argued the volume of such cases points to a systemic problem rather than isolated incidents.