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IDF probes security breach at base housing female soldiers

The military described the incident as a failure.

The IDF's Urim Base in southern Israel on Oct. 17, 2023. Photo by Dima Vazinovich/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images.
The IDF's Urim Base in southern Israel on Oct. 17, 2023. Photo by Dima Vazinovich/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images.

The Israel Defense Forces is conducting a comprehensive investigation into a serious breach of security at a military base housing female soldiers, which occurred one week ago, after it was discovered that no security personnel were present at the time of the incident.

The observation post, which Channel 12 reported is part of Urim Camp, is located approximately 6 miles from the Gaza Strip and about 5.5 miles west of the city of Ofakim. Unauthorized individuals infiltrated the facility, causing distress among the female soldiers stationed there.

Once the breach was discovered, the IDF dispatched a designated security force composed of combat soldiers to guard the camp until regular defense forces arrived.

In a statement to JNS, the military described the incident as a “failure” and said the female soldiers had been debriefed. “The IDF regrets the distress they experienced,” the statement said.

Urim is home to one of the IDF’s key signal intelligence bases operated by Unit 8200. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists targeted the base in a coordinated attack. Several soldiers were killed in the assault, including Sgt. Shir Shlomo, 19, who was posthumously recognized for her heroism.

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