IDF Operation to Recover Military Equipment Sees Surprising Returns
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
The IDF's operation to collect unused military equipment from the public has yielded a large quantity of items, including weapons, ammunition, and explosives. Notable returns include an ATV, a car filled with ammunition, and a collection of explosives that required a three-and-a-half-hour neutralization effort. The IDF is pleased with the public's response and emphasizes the anonymous and safe return process for all military gear.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IDF operation recovered over 100,000 rounds of ammunition and 1,660 explosive devices.
- A Kia Picanto car was found carrying boxes of ammunition, posing a significant risk.
- Bomb disposal experts spent three and a half hours neutralizing a collection of explosives.
- The IDF is accepting returns of military equipment anonymously from the public.
- Old weapons, including Uzi rifles and a Carl Gustaf rifle, were among the returned items.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has launched an operation encouraging the public to return unused military equipment, with surprising results. Among the items returned are over 100,000 rounds of ammunition, 1,660 explosive devices, 118 weapons including machine guns, and 1,270 clothing items. The operation, which aims to ensure the safe handling of military gear, has seen a significant public response.
One notable incident involved a truck driver, Avi Ashkenazi, who returned an RZR all-terrain vehicle, stating, "I took it from the IDF, now it's coming back to you." Another civilian brought in a collection of explosives, requiring bomb disposal experts to work for three and a half hours to neutralize them, necessitating the evacuation of an area near a base entrance. A Kia Picanto car was also found to contain boxes of ammunition, including hundreds of machine gun belts and dozens of M16 rifle magazines, raising concerns about the potential danger if the vehicle had been involved in an accident.
Lt. Col. Aleph, Deputy Logistics Officer of the Central Command, explained that all returned items undergo a thorough inspection. Explosive devices are initially checked by police sappers and then by ammunition technicians. Functional equipment and ammunition are returned to service, while unusable items are scrapped. The operation has successfully recovered dozens of weapons and hundreds of grenades, ranging from new to old, including pistols, machine gun parts, commando knives, and ammunition for various weapons.
Lt. Col. Aleph emphasized the significant risk posed by unsecured explosive devices in civilian areas and highlighted the operation's role in mitigating this danger. He also noted the return of particularly old equipment, such as Uzi rifles no longer in service and a Carl Gustaf rifle dating back to the pre-state paramilitary organizations. The IDF is pleased with the public's cooperation and encourages anyone with unused military equipment to return it anonymously, without questions asked.
