Israel to probe stories of Army abuses in territories

Israel's Defense Ministry said it was investigating allegations that the Army is abusing its powers in combating violent Palestinian protest in occupied Arab territories.

Six reserve officers gave written evidence supporting the allegations to the ministry and to the Army's attorney general, a ministry spokesman said.

The group of officers led by Major Yuval Neriya, who has won Israel's highest decoration, blamed the government for ''maneuvering the Army into impossible situations'' in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.