Indictment: Soldiers Allegedly Stole Weapons From IDF Bases and Sold Them for Hundreds of Thousands of Shekels

Two soldiers in mandatory service, residents of northern Israel, were charged with a series of serious weapons offenses following a joint investigation by the central unit of the Coastal District and the special investigations unit of the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division. According to a joint statement from the police and the IDF, the indictment was filed today (Monday) in the district military court, and the military prosecution is expected to request that they remain in custody until the end of the legal proceedings.

The investigation began after several incidents involving weapons stolen from IDF bases. Investigators conducted a complex probe that included covert and open operations, along with the use of special measures, and ultimately uncovered the identities of the two suspects, who were then arrested.

The indictment states that the main defendant, who served in a technical role in a combat battalion, exploited his access over a period of several months to tents where the battalion’s soldiers were staying. According to the charges, he stole three M-4 assault rifles belonging to those soldiers. In another incident, he took a MAG machine gun that had been mounted on a military vehicle in staging areas as part of the battalion’s preparations and operational readiness.

It is also alleged that in three of the theft cases, the defendant acted together with another soldier, a friend of his who does not serve in the same battalion. According to the indictment, the two did not stop at stealing the weapons but also sold three of the stolen firearms. The sales were carried out for a total sum of more than 100,000 shekels.

In addition, the two are accused of removing thousands of rounds of ammunition from army custody. The indictment also attributes additional offenses to the main defendant, including repeated attempts to persuade another soldier serving alongside him to steal ammunition and weapons from combat forces in exchange for payment.

The joint statement noted that "their detention was extended from time to time," and now, following the filing of the indictment in the district military court, the prosecution is expected to seek their detention until the conclusion of the legal proceedings against them.