Evacuation of an Entire Military Base
Shocking Incident: Over 150 Israeli Soldiers Hospitalized After Food Poisoning from Two Separate Sources
The base's kitchen was shut down after initial illnesses, but a replacement caterer's food also caused dozens more soldiers to fall sick, leading to the partial evacuation of the facility.
An alarming and unprecedented event has led to the hospitalization of 150 Israeli Border Police soldiers at a training base in Ma'ale Mikhmas, as they suffered from food poisoning from two separate sources. The incident began after soldiers and staff began complaining of stomach pains and other symptoms from meals provided by the base's own kitchen.
As a result, the kitchen was promptly closed for health and sanitary inspections. An external catering company was then brought in to provide replacement packaged meals. However, dozens more soldiers and staff soon reported similar symptoms after consuming the new food.
"The food was awful, we knew it and told everyone," a soldier who was evacuated for treatment told reporters. He added that it was "only a matter of time" before something like this happened. Describing the second wave of illnesses, he called it a "crazy event," stating, "Suddenly, in an instant, more than a hundred soldiers just collapsed from this food. I hope at least now there will be a change."
In a statement, the police confirmed the incident and the decision to close the kitchen for inspections. They noted that a preliminary investigation into the second round of illnesses suggested that most of the new patients had eaten the same type of packaged meal provided by the external catering company. Following the widespread illnesses, commanders made the decision to evacuate several companies from the base, with only forces responsible for guarding the facility remaining. The base will remain partially evacuated until health and medical checks are completed in coordination with the Ministry of Health.