IDF prosecutors are pursuing charges against four female IDF field intelligence officers for allegedly shutting off surveillance equipment and thus failing to collect information on Israel's northern border. The four women were arrested a month ago, but the incident did not pass Israel's military censor until this week. Some of the details in the case remain under gag order, but according to the IDF's Northern Command, charges will be pressed against the four soldiers for overstepping authority to the point of putting national security at risk, failing to follow orders, and destroying property. IDF prosecutors are also mulling charging the suspects with assisting the enemy, but observers say such a severe accusation making it into the indictement is unlikely. Over the last few months, the soldiers switched off the systems that they were in charge of on several occasions. These surveillance systems, IDF sources say, collect information of high importance about activity on the Lebanese side of the 'Blue Line,' which serves as the defacto Israel-Lebanon border. An investigation into the suspects' conduct was launched after a commander complained. The soldier's motives, or whether or not they admitted culpability, remains unknown. However, they reportedly told their commanders that they found their job conditions very difficult and couldn’t bear the pressure. IDF sources said the complaint against the soldiers is very serious and must be thoroughly investigated, and if the soldiers are found to be guilty of misconduct they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
