Archive photo, Prison 4
Photo: Amit Shabi
Jailed female soldier suddenly collapses, dies
19-year-old IAF soldier, arrested as part of military investigation, pronounced dead in hospital following failed life-saving efforts; soldier remembered for athletic attributes, 'motivation and big dreams'; friend blames IDF's 'one big disgrace'; circumstances being investigated.
An IDF female soldier who was jailed in Prison 4 collapsed and lost consciousness last week and was subsequently pronounced dead despite efforts to revive her at Beilinson Hospital.
According to an IDF spokesperson, the precise circumstances, which are currently being examined, have yet to be determined surrounding the 19 year old’s sudden death.
A doctor at Assaf Harofeh said “the soldier passed away after strenuous life-saving efforts were made that began in the army and were continued by the Magen David Adom paramedics. A medical team at Assaf Harofeh managed to somewhat stabilize her situation, but she was in critical condition.”
Her funeral took place Tuesday in a military cemetery in the coastal city of Netanya.
Prison 4 (Photo: Amit Shabi, Yedioth Ahronoth)
On September 18, the soldier, who served in the Israel Air Force in a technical position, was arrested as part of an investigation by the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) and her remand was extended by the military court of investigations.
Six days later, she collapsed inside the prison before being rushed to Assaf Harofeh Medical Center (formerly Yitzhak Shamir Medical Center (formerly Assaf Harofeh) and then being transferred to Beilinson Hospital at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva.
The next day, the IDF launched an investigation which has yet to reach its conclusion, but details on its progress are scant.
“For reasons of privacy and in order to allow the investigation to take place efficiently, we cannot divulge further details about the matter,” the IDF said in a statement.
Those who knew the girl described her as a distinguished athlete. A statement issued by the Athletic Association noted her achievements.
Prison 4 (Photo: Amit Shabi, Yedioth Ahronoth)
“She participated in different tournaments of a variety of sports. Her greatest love in athletics was High Jump and her personal record was a height of 2.70 metres,” the statement read.
While those closest to her also remembered her attributes, they also vented their anger against the IDF, which they claimed had failed dismally in their handling of the situation.
“She was a wonderful girl from a good family,” said a close associate of the girl’s family. “The conduct of the IDF in this case is simply a badge of shame. One big disgrace, in contrast to the treatment she received in Beilinson.”
Childhood friends of the soldier recalled “a smiley girl, full of motivation with big dreams and a lot of ambition which won’t be realized. She was a flower that has been uprooted. Everyone is in shock and can’t believe it at all.”
One of her friends added that she was waiting to hear the outcome of the investigation, but emphasized that she was not confident about how it was being conducted.
“I am waiting for the assessments by the IDF even though my faith in the system is not great. Nothing will bring her back, but if there was a failure here, someone needs to be held accountable.”
