For the first time since the end of Operation Cast Lead,
two Israel Defense Forces soldiers were arrested over the weekend on suspicion of plunder in the Gaza Strip, Ynet has learned.
The two fighters, who serve in a Givati Brigades' patrol battalion, are suspected of taking a credit card from a Palestinian house during their activity in Gaza, and later using it to purchase products worth thousands of shekels.
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| Interviews back IDF misconduct in Gaza / Associated Press |
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Resident's account of a sniper firing on civilians, along with soldiers' graffiti and destruction seen by Associated Press in homes they commandeered, lend support to allegations of Israeli army misconduct during Gaza offensive |
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Major Raanan Avtavi, commander of the Investigative Military Police in Beersheba, presented a military judge with a secret report containing details about the investigation. According to the investigating officer, the suspicions include drawing different amounts of money.
He noted that there are 16 additional operation activities which must be carried out, and that it was important to maintain vagueness as to those actions so as not to harm the investigation.
'Quite a few people who were involved in the affair are expected to be questioned. My estimate is between 10 to 15, soldiers and civilians," Major Avtavi said.
He also noted during the two soldiers' remand hearing that the suspects will only be presented with most of the suspicions against them throughout the week. The Investigating Military Police refused to address the extent of involvement of each of the two suspects, but noted that the severity of the offenses and actions attributed to them differed.
The two suspects are fighters holding the rank of sergeant, and at least one of them has denied the allegations against him.
Military Judge Colonel Erez Porat, who reviewed the evidence submitted and the secret report, noted that the two must be remain in custody as their release may seriously disrupt the investigation and even lead to loss of evidence.
Judge Porat also hinted that after the investigation is completed the two would remain behind bars, as the suspicions against them badly damage military discipline.
The two fighters will remain in custody at least until Wednesday evening, when the court will convene again to examine further details about the incident.
Meanwhile, additional investigations are being conducted against soldiers suspected of looting Palestinian houses during the Gaza operation. Military officials involved in the matter have noted that every complaint and every incident which points to actions violating military orders would be investigated, and that soldiers may be prosecuted.
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