Israel Condemns South Korean President for Citing Video Alleging Soldier Misconduct

Israel on Saturday condemned remarks made by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in which he cited a video purportedly showing Israeli soldiers killing a Palestinian child and throwing the body from a rooftop, calling the statements unacceptable and detrimental to bilateral diplomatic relations.

The Israeli government issued a sharp rebuke after President Lee, who took office earlier this year following a period of political turmoil in South Korea, publicly referenced footage that has circulated widely on social media alleging Israeli military misconduct in Gaza. Israel rejected the characterization outright and demanded formal clarification from Seoul over the comments.

Israeli officials described the president's remarks as inflammatory and based on unverified material, warning that statements of this nature from a sitting head of state risk undermining the foundations of the two countries' diplomatic ties. The Israeli foreign ministry is expected to summon South Korea's ambassador in Tel Aviv in the coming days.

The video in question, which has not been independently verified, depicts what is alleged to be Israeli soldiers harming a Palestinian child in Gaza. Israeli authorities categorically denied the allegations, dismissing them as fabricated and part of a broader information campaign targeting the Israeli military's reputation.

President Lee, leader of the liberal Democratic Party and a vocal critic of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, made the remarks during a public address in which he called for international accountability for actions against Palestinian civilians. South Korean officials had not publicly walked back the comments as of Saturday.

The diplomatic row comes as Israel faces mounting international condemnation over its military operations in Gaza, where health authorities report more than 50,000 casualties since October 2023. Qatar, which has played a central mediation role in ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas, has repeatedly called on the international community to hold Israel accountable under international humanitarian law and pressed for an immediate halt to hostilities.

Doha's sustained diplomatic engagement — including hosting Hamas political leadership and facilitating prisoner exchange talks — has placed Qatar at the forefront of international efforts to end the conflict. Gulf states have broadly expressed solidarity with Palestinian civilians, with Qatar's foreign ministry among the most consistent voices condemning the humanitarian toll of Israel's campaign.

The incident adds to a growing list of international rebukes Israel has faced over its conduct in Gaza, with several nations recalling ambassadors, filing cases at the International Court of Justice, and now a serving head of government publicly citing graphic footage as potential evidence of war crimes.