Parents of observation soldiers decry harsh conditions: ‘My daughter came back broken’

Days after Israel Hayom published a letter from dozens of parents to the Soldiers’ Complaints Commissioner detailing grueling conditions for IDF observation soldiers, more families have come forward with anguished accounts of their daughters’ physical and emotional decline. The complaints, spanning bases from the Gaza Envelope to the Golan Heights, paint a stark picture of dwindling morale, inadequate food, and alleged mistreatment—issues parents say are systemic and longstanding.

“It’s just the tip of the iceberg,” a father told Israel Hayom on Tuesday, his voice thick with frustration. His daughter, once eager to serve, returned from her post a shadow of herself—six kilograms lighter, her spirit crushed. “We got back a broken, thin girl. Every call became a pep talk. She’d cry endlessly, humiliated by veterans who refuse to evaluate her, trapping her on base for 21 days with no reprieve. We’re helpless—her pain is ours.” He insisted the problem isn’t isolated but pervasive, naming bases like Nahal Oz, Jalameh, and Makabim.

The outcry follows a year of IDF efforts to bolster support for observation soldiers—unarmed surveillance troops, mostly women, tasked with monitoring Israel’s borders. The IDF Spokesperson has touted 28 new kitchenettes built at observation posts since 2024, promising round-the-clock food access tailored to diverse needs. Yet parents report persistent shortages. “My daughter at Makabim barely eats,” one mother said. “Shifts and daytime sleep mean they miss dining hall hours. Why not bring trays to them? They won’t complain—there’s an unspoken rule against it, and they don’t want us stepping in.”

Health concerns compound the strain. A father of two soldiers at Jalameh—one an observer—described a baffling disconnect: “The IDF lowers medical profiles, but unit doctors don’t honor exemptions consistently. From basic training, they’ve ignored her needs. She waits weeks to see a doctor, only possible at a bigger base like Sayarim.” He added that essentials like potable water and edible food often run dry, forcing soldiers to order supplies from outside. “Spoiled food arrives, or none at all. But the real damage is to their motivation—it’s like the system’s designed to break them.”

Training and treatment draw equal ire. “Veterans humiliate the new girls,” the Jalameh father said. “Work hours defy regulations—sleep deprivation is routine—and training depends on whims, not structure.” Another parent echoed this, noting his daughter’s initial enthusiasm eroded under a culture where commanders loom as untouchable figures. “They see them as ‘God,’” he said. “Fear keeps them silent, especially in basic training when they don’t know their rights.”

While the IDF has not yet responded to these latest claims, the voices of families—spanning regions and ranks—suggest a broader reckoning may be due for a role critical to Israel’s security. For now, these soldiers’ parents wait, their daughters’ struggles a quiet burden echoing far beyond the bases.