IDF soldiers say forced to isolate in locked room, abandoned post without water

Two soldiers from an Israel Defense Forces desert patrol battalion say they were sent for isolation to an abandoned military post without electricity or running water, and in a locked room, after they spent time in proximity to an individual with the coronavirus.

The soldiers tell the Kan public broadcaster they were quarantined in a locked room close to the Egyptian border and went for long periods of time without food.

The soldiers say they haven’t seen a doctor since they were sent into isolation.

“I wanted to charge my cellphone, I told them them I was having mental health problems and I wanted to leave but nobody answered,” one of the soldiers says.

In response, the IDF says the soldiers received the same food as the rest of the soldiers, and were allowed to use the bathroom.

“We understand that a feeling of unpleasantness can be created in isolation, but it is designed to protect the company framework with maximum consideration for the combatants’ conditions and concern for their personal needs,” the IDF says.

"סגרו עליי את החלונות בברגים": תיעוד של חייל מגדוד הסיור הבדואי שהוצב בבידוד בעמדה נטושה@ela1949 https://t.co/6CU5ml9ZLw pic.twitter.com/JJa0zGOaCE

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) April 5, 2020