Repeated Equipment Shortages Went Unaddressed, Reservist Says Combat Lives Were Put at Risk

Reserve Maj. Gil Admati, a company commander who has served in the reserves for about 40 years, is alleging a series of serious failures in Battalion 7481 that, he says, harmed operational readiness and endangered soldiers' lives. The claims were published today, Thursday, on the program "BeChatzot HaYom" on Kan News. According to him, he and other officers warned IDF officials for a long period about the deficiencies, but they say no comprehensive inquiry was carried out and the gaps they raised were not addressed. Admati points to a range of problems in the areas of medical care, logistics, manpower and operational equipment. He says that during the fighting, the battalion doctor operated without some of the essential medical equipment, including life-saving plasma. He also said that during rocket fire in the Maroun al-Ras area, in which the battalion commander and two other soldiers were wounded, the battalion doctor was required to treat the injured under fire, while, according to him, vital medical equipment was missing. Even so, he managed to stabilize their condition and arrange evacuation by helicopter. According to him, there were similar gaps during Operation "Roar of the Lion," and he is demanding an investigation into how an operational battalion functioned when essential medical equipment was not fully available.

Admati also claims there was a prolonged shortage of protective gear, including bulletproof vests, helmets and night-vision equipment. Some of the equipment, he said, was obtained through donations, personal connections and private funding by commanders and soldiers. The officer also describes a shortage of professional manpower and unfilled positions in logistics and communications, along with difficulties in obtaining vehicles, refueling equipment and other specialized gear. According to him, battalion commanders were forced to focus on procuring basic equipment instead of preparing the unit for its missions. It was also claimed that battalion soldiers dealt for a long time with poor service conditions, including a lack of showers and toilets. "The battalion managed to function in the war not thanks to the system, but despite the system," Admati wrote. "Thanks to reservists, commanders, personal initiative, donations and improvisation. But the IDF must not be based on miracles."

The IDF Spokesperson's Unit said in response: "This is a complaint that was received and will be examined in depth by Northern Command, in accordance with the binding orders and instructions, while carrying out an orderly inquiry with the complainant and the other relevant parties. Upon completion of the examination, the findings and conclusions will be transferred to the Military Ombudsman as required and will be dealt with if necessary. In general, Battalion 7481 plays a significant and central role in the missions of Northern Command and the necessary resources and responses are invested in it in accordance with the procedures and operational priorities. A preliminary review is not aware of logistical gaps that required treatment and were not handled, and the same applies to the unit's simulation. All the claims will be examined as part of the complaint."