Dozens of IDF Observers Report Heatstroke After Field Drill in Sde Boker Area

An IDF medical incident at Sde Boker camp in the Negev left about 15 observation soldiers with heatstroke and dehydration symptoms after they were forced to remain in a field exercise during severe heat. The soldiers were part of a course for commanders of observation command centers, and according to their accounts, commanders made them stay outdoors despite the dangerous conditions.

When they returned to base, many of the women fell ill, and several were reported to be suffering from acute dehydration. The report, cited by Doron Kadosh on Galei Tzahal, said the soldiers were now being treated for severe dehydration symptoms. Parents of the soldiers told Galei Tzahal that the number of affected soldiers kept rising and that all of them were gathered in a sick room.

According to the parents, some soldiers fainted and others vomited after being required to continue live-fire practice in temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius. One parent said a similar incident had taken place at the same base six months earlier, when the girls were still in basic training.

The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said that over the weekend several soldiers sought medical care after feeling unwell and reporting dehydration symptoms. It said all of them received initial treatment at the base and were sent to rest in their unit, and that those who reported feeling unwell are being monitored by the base unit doctor and continuing treatment as needed.