Nearly 130 new female Israeli recruits reject order to serve in army's surveillance units near Gaza

ANKARA

A total of 126 new Israeli female soldiers has rejected an order to serve in surveillance units near the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Thursday.

The Ynet news website said many of the recruits cited security concerns after dozens of soldiers were kidnapped by Hamas fighters on Oct. 7.

The number of recruits who rejected the order was 40% of those recruited this week, Ynet added.

Fifteen surveillance soldiers were killed and six taken as hostages from the Nahal Oz military base by the Palestinian resistance group’s fighters during its cross-border attack on Oct. 7, according to the Times of Israel news portal.

The army depends heavily on surveillance units to watch cameras near Gaza, as well as calling in troops during security incidents.