As crop dusting planes in southern Israel continue efforts to eliminate the infestation of locusts, one pilot mistakenly doused IDF soldiers with pesticides. The soldiers were taken to an area hospital and Baruch Hashem it was determined that they were all okay.

The paratroopers hit with pesticides were operating along the border to Egypt. Ten of them were sent to Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva where doctors determined they were okay, but the decision was made to send them home to rest. It appears that a lack of coordination between the Ministry of Agriculture and the IDF is to blame for the mishap.

There was a delay in passing information regarding the crop dusting schedule to the IDF and therefore, the latter did not notify officials of the presence of soldiers in that area.

Southern are farmers are concerned, explaining there are “billions of locusts” and if the situation is not brought under control soon, the result could be catastrophic.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)