A report revealed that dozens of Israeli female recruits at the training base in Nitzanim felt ill and experienced gastrointestinal symptoms since the dinner on the eve of the Hebrew New Year the night before last.
The Israeli army stated in a statement, which was reviewed by the "News Video Agency," that only nine out of 229 recruits at the base showed these symptoms, noting that the food served to them was tested and found to be safe, therefore there is no suspicion that the cases are related to the food. Instructions were also distributed to maintain cleanliness at the base.
However, the father of one recruit told the "ynet" website today, Sunday, that the number of affected women is much larger, and that most of them ate the meal that contained meat. He added that his daughter informed him of at least 50 recruits suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, and poor health.
According to the father, his daughter said that the meat dish emitted a "very foul smell," which led some recruits to refrain from eating it.
The father also accused the base management of not providing adequate medical care to the recruits who complained of symptoms of illness, noting that no doctor attended the scene, and the recruits were only examined by a medic.
He added that some of them had to perform guard duty despite their health condition, without receiving breaks to go to the bathroom.
The father explained: "They were treated with disdain until the parents intervened last night. It cannot continue to demand that the recruits go on guard while they feel this way. One recruit went on guard duty despite feeling ill, she fell on the way, and she is now wearing a bandage on her hand."
According to the army, the affected recruits spent the week at the base after returning from the weekend leave, and they were scheduled to finish their basic training this week.
In light of multiple complaints from recruits, the company command conducted interrogations of all the recruits to identify additional cases, and those who did not feel well underwent a medical examination. Cleaning operations were also carried out in the company to ensure compliance with hygiene and sterilization procedures, while the recruits experiencing symptoms were placed in their rooms to rest.
The base commander stated in a message to parents: "The health of the recruits is important to us and is our top priority. Following complaints from several recruits in the company, we paused to interrogate all recruits in the company, and anyone who did not feel well was examined by medical staff. At the same time, cleaning operations were carried out in the company to ensure disinfection and compliance with the required instructions. All recruits who do not feel well are currently resting in their rooms."
The Israeli army stated that tests showed that only about nine recruits fit the definition of a case, and they received medical treatment according to their condition and were sent to rest inside the unit, while medical personnel are monitoring their situation and overseeing their treatment.
The army denied allegations regarding food spoilage, confirming that there is no shortage of food supplies at the base, and that the kitchen continues to provide meals regularly and appropriately during the holiday, according to the scheduled meal times.
The army emphasized that any additional allegations raised by personnel at the base will be examined by the commanders, stressing that maintaining the health of the service members is a top priority and that necessary actions will be taken according to the directives of the medical authorities.