IDF announces month-long equipment recall
Logistics Branch urges reservists in possession of military-grade weapons, equipment to return them to army, promises 'no questions asked' policy. Recall operation to last until end of September
The IDF has called on all reservists to return any military equipment that may have been left in their possession after they ended active duty, declaring official weapons and equipment recall between mid-August and the end of September.
The recall, organized by the IDF Logistics Branch, is meant to retrieve any operational equipment which may still be in civilian hands, such as weapons, ammunitions or medical supplies.
Keeping military-grade equipment at home, explained the IDF, may pose a risk to both the reservists and their families. The military is also interested in making sure any such equipment doesn’t accidentally fall into the wrong hands.
The operation, added the IDF, will be carried out in a "no questions asked" fashion; meaning returning equipment can be done anonymously, with no explanation necessary as to how or why one may have come to be in the possession of military equipment.
"Two years after the end of the Second Lebanon War, we are in the midst of a process which will ensure every reservists will be allotted whatever equipment he requires, should the need arise. We can safely say no one should store military equipment in their home. It belongs in the IDF's warehouses," said a military source.
Among the weapons returned so far, an IDF statement revealed Wednesday, were two machine guns, an AK-47 rifle, several mortar shells, four grenades and fragmentation grenades, a gun, two M-4 sniper-rifles and two standard issue M-16 rifles.
Other retuned equipment included uniforms, 60 gun clips, some 2,800 bullets, an AN/PRC-77 backpack radio, gun straps and a variety of medical supplies.
The IDF's equipment recall will be carried on until September 25 across Israel. Equipment which upon return will be found faulty is scheduled to be destroyed.
