Special to WorldTribune.com

TEL AVIV — The Israeli military has reported thefts of weapons and
advanced equipment.

Military sources said the Israel Army has reported numerous break-ins at
bases around the country in 2012. They said thieves, believed to be Arab
criminals, were stealing weapons and advanced equipment.

“The closer the bases are to the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the more
vulnerable they are to break-ins,” a military source said.

In March, military prosecutors filed indictments connected to the theft
of more than 2,000 tank shells from an IDF base in the south near the Gaza
Strip. At the same time, military police were investigating the
disappearance of at least three night-vision systems from another southern
base — this time near the West Bank.

“Usually, these thefts are directed by organized crime, but the weapons
could easily be sold to terrorists,” the source said.

In 2011, the military launched a campaign to improve base security,
especially around Air Force facilities. A military investigation determined
that Bedouins gained easy and widespread access to combat air squadrons,
including F-15 and F-16 fighter-jets, in southern Israel.

  Bedouins, Israel fears stolen military gear may wind up in hands of terrorists, night-vision systems, organized crime, tank shells