IDF troops patrol Gaza border in unprotected vehicles: 'We feel like sitting ducks'

Soldiers sent to patrol the border in jeeps completely exposed to gunfire, snipers and anti-tank missiles are worried for their safety, say calm following Gaza operation created over-confidence.

Yoav Zitun
Published: 10.19.14,

A month and a half after Operation Protective Edge has ended, and the reality on the Gaza border is one that worries the patrolling troops. A Ynet investigation found that unlike the days before the summer war, forces are now being sent to patrol the border in open vehicles, completely exposed to gunfire, snipers and most dangerous of all, anti-tank missiles.

The IDF claims the jeeps are not patrolling the border fence itself, but testimonies from soldiers and an investigation by Ynet paint a different picture - in an area considered one of the hottest zones on the Gaza border, the vehicles often patrol alone, without backup.

In this area, between Israeli territory and Palestinian homes on the eastern edges of Gaza City, soldiers patrol in a completely open jeep, without even protection from stone-throwing.


"It's a lot more comfortable and nicer to ride this jeep, but it's also very dangerous," said one of the fighters from the battalion stationed in the area. "A round from a machine gun or a Kalashnikov can easily hit us.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4581729,00.html