Shorts: Mideast

Ex-army officers risk arrest in Europe

jerusalem (ap) | Ex-Israeli army officers could face risks on trips abroad after a former Gaza commander was threatened with arrest in Britain on war crimes charges.

An Israeli official said she will ask European nations to repeal broad laws on prosecuting such crimes.

Last week, Doron Almog, a retired Israeli army general, stayed onboard a plane at London's airport when he heard he would be arrested. A human rights group filed a complaint under a law that gives Britain the power to charge foreigners with war crimes, even if Britain or its citizens were not involved.

Israel is concerned that ex-officers and even soldiers could face arrest in the countries with such war crimes laws, including Britain, Belgium, Spain and Germany. That could have far-reaching effects. Many ex-officers are senior officials in companies doing business abroad.




Drones to monitor Gaza Strip border

jerusalem (jta) | Israel ordered a fleet of spy drones to help monitor Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip.

Israel Aircraft Industries said this week that it had received a $50 million order for Heron unpiloted aerial vehicles.

Security sources said that most of the aircraft would fly over Gaza to make up for intelligence lost on the ground after this week's military pullout. Israel plans to continue controlling Gaza's airspace and coastal waters.