Stir crazy soldiers abandon their post on Mount Hermon

Soldiers say they feared humiliating treatment, severe lack of sleep might make them try to hurt themselves

Metal silhouettes of soldiers dot the landscape overlooking the snow-covered Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights in January. (photo credit: Shay Levy/Flash 90)
Metal silhouettes of soldiers dot the landscape overlooking the snow-covered Mount Hermon in the Golan Heights in January. (photo credit: Shay Levy/Flash 90)

Five soldiers from an anti-aircraft unit stationed on Mount Hermon abandoned their post at a remote guard tower and surrendered their weapons to their commander on Thusday, saying they feared they might turn them on themselves.

The soldiers had been punished by being sent to the position, which was meant to be manned by only two soldiers, and left there for 9 hours, Israel Radio reported, when one of them began to lose his cool. His comrades abandoned the post and handed their rifles over to their commander; he returned them, but only after removing the firing pin from them.

The soldiers complained of humiliating treatment from their platoon commander and a critical lack of sleep.

The IDF Spokesman’s Office said the case, if true, would be a serious deviation from army standards.

Most Popular
read more:
If you’d like to comment, join
The Times of Israel Community.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.