Chronicle of helplessness: When the IDF raises its hands in the face of theft of weapons and equipment

The phenomenon of the theft of military equipment, which claimed the lives of Egoz Ofek Aharon and Itamar Elharar officers, has been troubling the commanders of the field units for more than a decade, but so far no solution has been found.

Thieves who "accompany" the forces in training and wait for gym class, through breaking into bases - to attempting to snatch weapons from combatants in navigation

Amir Bohbot

13/01/2022

Thursday, January 13, 2022, 7:15 p.m.

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In the video: Officers pursue suspects in the theft of military equipment during training in Tze'elim (Editing: Yardena Abodi-Fox)

Last night (Wednesday), the theft of equipment from military bases claimed the lives of two IDF officers, Major Ofek Aharon and Major Itamar Elharar from the Egoz unit, in a shooting accident that occurred while looking for a night-vision device taken from bases. Commanders of field units in the IDF for an increase in the volume of thefts - which are even made from encampments where the ammunition crates are concentrated during exercises.

Recently, an unusual incident was reported in which two civilians tried to snatch weapons from combatants in navigation areas, and these were forced to fight them with fists and kicks - with great fear of opening fire at them due to the ambiguity of military orders.

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Nabi Musa base from which the equipment was stolen, today (Photo: Flash 90, Yonatan Zindel)

Military weapons stolen from Tze'elim base (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

In some cases the theft is carried out by a young man who lives near the military concentration, and other times during training. In these cases, the equipment thieves "accompany" the force, waiting for a fit hour to take the equipment - which sometimes also includes backpacks and live bullets. In various incidents, the thieves arrived mounted on ATVs, broke through base fences - and galloped towards tents and shelters where equipment was concentrated.

In fact, in the absence of the ability to provide perimeter guard around the equipment, the forces have no way to ensure its guarding. Thus, about two years ago, for example, an unusual incident occurred during which an officer noticed several suspects stealing from the fire areas at Tze'elim base - and chased them to the outskirts of the village they had reached. There he was stopped by several vehicles that were waiting for him and crowded around him. Eventually, the incident ended without any casualties, following which the commanders of the Tze'elim Land Training Center clarified that it is forbidden to chase equipment thieves.

Despite an exchange of views on the issue between the IDF and the Israel Police, which even included a direct dialogue between Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi and Commissioner Kobi Shabta, the police - who have pledged to address the phenomena - do not.

The fatal incident in the Jordan Valley occurred while the two officers, platoon commanders in the Walnut unit in the commando brigade, went on a patrol to locate night-vision devices stolen from the base where they were staying.

At the same time, another team commander from their unit also patrolled for the same reason.

He was identified by the two as a suspect, and they flanked him to capture him.

The officer, who did not know who it was, felt threatened, opened fire on them - and killed them both.

The commander of the land arm, Maj. Gen. Tamir Yedai, is expected to appoint a team of experts led by a senior officer to investigate the accident.

Sources in the 98th Division said there is harsh criticism in the unit for changing the opening fire regulations and the way the commanders are restricted in everything related to dealing with suspects who come to steal equipment, ammunition and weapons.

Sources added that the patrol carried out by two cruise commanders came on their own initiative, with the aim of dealing with suspects from the area who are approaching the area and trying to steal weapons and ammunition.

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• Army and Security

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• Jordan Valley

• IDF

• Commando Brigade

• walnut