The changing instructions for opening fire created confusion and tension, the IDF must recover - and fast

The accident in which Walnut officers were killed floods the consequences of the theft phenomenon from the IDF. In a reality where officers are forced to carry out controversial initiatives to locate stolen equipment so as not to be punished and commanders are exposed to friction with civilians

Amir Bohbot

14/01/2022

Friday, 14 January 2022, 06:00 Updated: 07:28

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In the video: Family and friends mourn those killed in the shooting accident in the Baka, the chief of staff refers to the incident (Photo: Yanir Yagana and Dotz)

The fatal shooting accident that took place last night (Thursday) near the Nabi Musa base in the Jordan Valley raises sharp questions about the culture of the unit involved, the level of discipline of the fighters, procedures for using weapons and understanding the procedures for opening fire - but above all it mentions the consequences of stealing military equipment.

If the IDF General Staff sees the incident as a one-time event - it will in fact cooperate in expanding the dimensions of the phenomenon

. The officers' controversy, but it is not conducted in a vacuum - is a product of many years of neglect by the IDF and the government towards the failure of equipment theft.

Over the years, attempts have been made to reduce the gaps in the area between the extent of theft and the daring of thieves and the ways in which commanders and fighters cope by changing the instructions for opening fire.

But because the instructions change once a period, are not well practiced in the field and vary from sector to sector - the soldiers experience confusion and reluctance.

More on Walla!

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

To the full article

More on Walla!

• IDF incompetence: 70% of criminal shootings are carried out with stolen military weapons

• Ambush him - and attack: 2 young men from the north are accused of stealing weapons from a walnut fighter

• Saving from the first moment: How to start saving in four simple steps

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

Stolen weapons seized by the police in the northern region (Photo: Israel Police spokeswoman)

From this space much more serious phenomena developed. The commanders' sense of security on the ground is declining, the status of the fighter and the military commander in the eyes of the public is deteriorating, the soldiers are exposed to unnecessary risks - and initiatives to find stolen equipment that sometimes deviate from orders or law are inevitably carried out. After all, except for the theft of valuable items that usually end up in hostile hands, the commanders face investigation, and in some cases are sent to trial. Hence, the motivation of the force to recover the equipment lost in operations such as the one that occurred yesterday must be analyzed.

For more than a decade, IDF field unit commanders have been complaining about an increase in the number of thefts - which are even made from encampments where ammunition crates are concentrated during drills. Towards them on fire due to the ambiguity of the military orders.

The commanders clarified that the pursuit of equipment thieves should not be pursued.

The Land Training Center (Photo: Amir Bohbot)

In some cases, the theft is carried out by a young man who lives near the military concentration (Photo: official website, Regavim movement)

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.

The military must analyze the risks facing any force in training in the fire areas, the tools at its disposal to deal with civilian friction - with an emphasis on theft and criminal suspects - and refine the opening fire procedures so that they are uniform in each case.

Subsequently, action should be taken to impose heavy punishment in all matters relating to the assault of a soldier by a civilian.

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• IDF

• Shooting accident

• walnut

• Commando Brigade