BREAKING NEWS

Weapons stolen from IDF army base in southern Israel

A cache of approximately 30 weapons was stolen from a storage warehouse at an IDF army base located in southern Israel, according to an army spokesperson. The Givati brigade battalion is currently stationed at the base.
The theft was discovered in the early morning hours of Sunday, suggesting that the weapons were taken during the night.
IDF forces and the Israel Police are searching the area for the missing weapons and the person or persons responsible for the theft.
Maj.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, head of the Southern Command, appointed a team of experts led by Colonel Itai Brin to investigate the incident. Military police have also opened up an investigation into the matter.
According to Hebrew-language media, there was no evidence of a break-in at the warehouse, which may mean that the party responsible for the theft had help from a soldier or soldiers stationed at the base.
Last week, in an effort to crack down on thefts at army bases, the IDF passed a directive allowing soldiers to shoot at the legs of people who are trying to steal weapons and other military equipment. Prior to this directive, soldiers were not allowed to shoot in the case of theft.
In 2016, two soldiers -- Shadi Bashir and Adi Zoabi -- were arrested for allegedly stealing grenades and missiles from the Ramon unit. Bashir and Zoabi were part of the Beduin tracking battalion. Mohammed Zoabi, Adi's father, was also arrested as an accomplice.
Stolen weapons are often targeted by thieves looking to sell them on the black market.