Tens of thousands of bullets were stolen Monday night from an IDF bunker in the Tze'elim base in southern Israel.
A joint investigation has been opened by Israel Police and the Military Police, an IDF statement said.
The discovery was made during searches carried out by the base commanders, who identified the break-in into one of the bunkers.
Currently, it is estimated that approximately 30,000 bullets for 5.56 rifles have been stolen. As of early Tuesday afternoon, every vehicle entering the base is checked.
MK Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit) responded to the theft, saying, "Unfortunately, once again a dangerous red line has been crossed in the lack of governance in the wild Negev. This is a very serious event, and because of this, I demand that the Shabak (Israel Security Agency) be involved in investigating the incident. These weapons thieves, who are directly connected to the drug smugglers on the Egyptian border (by means of clans and organizations), challenge time after time the State of Israel's view of defense. We must increase the severity of punishment and bring them to justice, and better sooner than later."
An IDF spokesperson responded, "We received a report this morning regarding the theft of ammunition from a military bunker at an IDF base in southern Israel. An investigation has been opened in cooperation with Israel Police and the Military Police."