Female observers tell of the moment they spotted the attempted smuggling from Lebanon to Israel.
February 19, 2023/IDF spokesman
Dozens of female recruits who showed up today (Tuesday) and yesterday at the BKOM refuse to leave it due to the position they were assigned to - observers. Alas! It was learned that about 50 female soldiers refuse to get on the buses that will take them to the training base of the Border Protection Corps located in Siir. "Anyone who refuses will go to prison for three months ", one of the mothers told about the threats she claims her daughter received.
In the background of the refusal of the new recruits, there is a more serious depth problem in the IDF's observation system.
A problem that began with the disdainful attitude of the top of the army to the corps and its servants - both in terms of the terms of service and in relation to the intelligence they produced.
And the aggravation of the events of the massacre on October 7, when female observers were murdered and kidnapped from the collection forces at the Gaza border.
According to the mother: "Dozens of female soldiers are receiving threats from the UN Security Council because they refuse to serve as observers, including my daughter. They are receiving threats and heavy pressure to evacuate."
According to her, "the sorting officer told them that the instruction he received was not to release and not to give any other position, even to the Kban.
They are denied meals until the evening and they receive threats and screams to leave."
"They were told that no matter what, they would not receive any other placement because that is the instruction for female observers.
Anyone who refuses will go to prison for three months," the mother claimed.
The observation post of Nahal Oz, which reopened in Camp Reim. November 6, 2023/IDF Spokesman
In recent years, criticism has increased regarding the disparaging attitude of the top of the army towards female observers, which is reflected in the dilapidated infrastructure in outposts and bases, the increasing workload, attrition, service conditions, a sharp drop in motivation, and the bad name among security service candidates.
According to military officials from the Border Guard Corps, "the IDF invested more in technologies and less in observation vehicles and then burdened them with tasks."
The only substantial change that was made was to deploy soldiers from high-quality groups."
The war that broke out at the border of the Gaza Strip proved the necessity and contribution of them at the borders - their composure, control of the space, and their professional level. Following the extent of the kidnappings, killings and injuries in the military forces and outposts, it was decided in the first stage on a very extensive recruitment of female officers and observers in the reserve to support the formation quickly, including the transfer of commanders from the school of the formation.
The female observers who saw everything coming, including their deaths (illustration) / IDF spokesperson
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"What happened is a severe blow to the observation unit, which has also suffered from motivation problems in recent years," said a military official from the unit after the massacre, recognizing the crisis: "What happened was like an arrow in the heart. We are still bleeding, I don't want to expand on the subject of the missing, abducted, Wounded and dead. Some of the female observers who acted calmly. They were under fire. Zero range from terrorists. They saved other lives, acted really bravely and are finding it difficult to return to full function. Most of them were sent home. Some are even being treated by professionals. The array is back to full function but the main problem She is in the future. In a few months."
The IDF spokesperson said: "During the recruitment process for the female observers, candidates who expressed low motivation for the position began a procedure in front of a screening officer and some of them were released home.
The recruits received the necessary conditions in terms of accommodation and food and no medical examination was avoided.
We will emphasize that not a single conscript went to prison as a result of unwillingness to serve in the position."
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