Troops detained over Gaza looting
Three soldiers, civilian arrested in connection with computer theft in evacuated Gush Katif settlement of Atzmona. Earlier, two youngsters detained over suspicions they looted Gaza homes
Three soldiers and a civilian were detained early Wednesday on suspicion of stealing equipment from a home in the evacuated Gush Katif settlement of Atzmona.
The soldiers were detained by a Military Police patrol. Investigators suspect the civilian, who entered the area with a permit, called his friends, who serve in the IDF and arrived at the house in a military vehicle.
During interrogation, it turned out the four apparently stole a computer, a stereo system and tables.
The soldiers were handed over to the Military Police while the civilian, who resides in the southern town of Kiryat Gat, will be brought before a judge at the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court.
Taking advantage of entry permit
Earlier, two 25-year-old men from the south were detained on suspicion of stealing settlers' belongings in Gush Katif, and particularly fridges and air-conditioners. The two, Yoni Shmuel and Sasi Ephraim, will remain in custody for seven more days.
An initial investigation revealed the suspects took advantage of an entry permit to Gush Katif granted to the father of one of them. The son, who is a truck driver, took the permit from his father, but when he reached Gush Katif with a friend the two broke into evacuees' houses.
Last week, Ynet reported that two soldiers were sent to 21 days in military prison after they took an air-conditioner dumped at the entrance to the Gaza settlement of Pe'at Sadeh shortly after it was evacuated.
Meanwhile, the police and IDF boosted their security in evacuated settlements in order to prevent looting and stop unauthorized parties from entering the area. At this time, only civilians who received a special permit to monitor the packing of their belongings are allowed into Gaza.
Contractors who have been hired to dismantle Gaza infrastructure and government officials are also allowed into the Strip at this time.
Hanan Greenberg contributed to the report
