Elite IDF soldier confesses to looting Gaza home during war
By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent
An elite Israel Defense Forces soldier confessed on Tuesday to stealing a credit card from a home in northern Gaza during the recent offensive against Hamas and using it to withdraw NIS 1,600 in Israel.
The soldier, who serves in the Givati infantry unit's reconnaissance battalion, was arrested last week with one of his comrades. The second soldier was released after his friend confessed.
Following the soldier's confession, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit relayed: "The IDF examines every incident that is not in line with the laws of the state and the principles of the IDF."
The army's police investigative unit launched a probe into the allegations last month after receiving a complaint.
A Palestinian residing in the northern Gaza Strip claimed his credit card was stolen during Operation Cast Lead, the codename for Israel's offensive against Hamas. A short while later, his credit card statement revealed that a number of products were purchased in Israel.
In the statement released Tuesday by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit, the army further said: "In light of the nature of the complaint, the military prosecution ordered the Military Police Investigation unit to open probes in which they would take evidence in order to examine the claims."
"As is customary," the unit added, "the investigations are accompanied by prosecutors for operational matters who will check the findings and recommend steps to take, should this be found necessary.
"Following these claims two soldiers were arrested for investigation by the Military Police Investigation unit."
