IDF comptroller: Many complaints decreased over course of war
Report still notes shortages in weapons, ammunition, food, and bomb shelters
The IDF comptroller report of Brig.Gen. (res.) Racheli Tevet Wiesel was released on Monday with an unexpected spin saying many categories of complaints decreased as the current war progressed.
According to the report, the complaints reported in the media about reservists lacking sufficient protective vests, ammunition, food, water, bomb shelters, and other items were all received by the IDF comptroller.
Likewise, there was a high number of complaints about insufficient mental health assistance for soldiers.
However, the comptroller said that overall complaints for mental health went down over the course of the war as the IDF massively increased the number of professionals involved.
Further, the comptroller said she helped intervene and solve many of the reservists’ supply shortages issues.
Generally, the report said the 5,749 complaints filed in 2023 represented a 5% decrease compared to 2022, with 54% of them being found to be valid.
However, if the number of mandatory service soldier complaints dropped by 22% since 2022, the number of reservist complaints at 712, was a jump of 30% compared to last year.
Specifically, the reservist complaints went up by 265% comparing the October 7 to December 21 period of 2023 to the same period in 2022.
Individual stories in the report relate to soldiers not having bomb shelters when attacked by rockets or being told by commanders that they had to remain at their posts, rather than go to bomb shelters.
Ultimately, the comptroller and the relevant commanders clarified to mid-level commanders that this violated IDF regulations and that soldiers were directed to evacuate to bomb shelters when under rocket attack.
It is still unclear how quickly and efficiently the missing equipment needs of reservists were filled, though top IDF sources previously told Jerusalem Post that shortages were solved speedily for frontline combat fighters, and more slowly for soldiers in rear defense guard positions.