The living and working conditions of the IDF observers protecting Israel's southern borders at the Ketziot Base are dismal, according to a Thursday Maariv report.
The IDF observers do not receive hot meals while on duty, according to the report. Parents of the observers told Maariv that the observers are forbidden from taking food out of the dining room to eat during their shifts, when they cannot leave their posts to go to the dining hall.
The staff room on their base is entirely empty, with no furniture, so it cannot be used for recreation or work.
The report added that the soldiers, who only go home every 18 days, are forced to wear dirty uniforms because the base's laundry facilities have been broken for several weeks. Many of the toilets are broken as well, parents also told Maariv.
Lack of sleep due to harassment from male soldiers
According to the report, lack of sleep is the biggest problem the observers, who are predominantly women, currently face. They work through the night and are unable to get proper sleep outside of working hours because the male soldiers, quartered near the women, make lots of noise and even throw objects at the observers' windows.
In response to these complaints, the IDF spokesperson's unit said:
"The [female] soldiers moved into a new, renovated housing unit about a month ago. As part of the transition process, furniture is expected to arrive for their use, including a washing machine and dryer. So far, the soldiers have used a washing machine in the old building. The machine was disconnected yesterday, and an appropriate solution will be provided as soon as possible."
"There is no known problem with the food supply," the IDF added. "In addition to the dining hall, the soldiers have access to an independent kitchen with cooking supplies and ingredients... The issue of repairing the broken toilets is being addressed."
Finally, addressing complaints of harassment by male soldiers, the IDF said that "a discussion was held to adjust the behavior of all soldiers on the base accordingly."