Rats have overrun a major Israeli naval training base in Haifa, exposing signs of decay and dysfunction inside Israel’s military infrastructure as the country presses ahead with its wars across Gaza, Lebanon and the wider region.
Staff at the Israeli navy’s Haifa training base, which houses around 1,200 soldiers, said rats had been running through kitchens, refrigeration rooms and food storage areas for months, according to a report by Israeli outlet Ynet.
Military authorities reportedly failed to adequately address the infestation despite repeated complaints from base workers and staff.
One kitchen worker described conditions inside the facility as “rotten and exposed”, claiming rats entered through holes in walls, air conditioning ducts and decaying plumbing systems.
The worker recounted finding a rat inside a cooking pot while preparing meals at the base, describing the scene as “one of the most shocking things” he had witnessed.
Workers also alleged that rats had gnawed through food containers and spread across storage and refrigeration areas inside the military facility. Staff apparently began documenting the infestation daily, photographing rats during early morning shifts.
The reports emerge as Israel continues its devastating military campaigns across Gaza and the region, wars that have drained tens of billions of dollars from the Israeli economy while placing a growing strain on military logistics and infrastructure.
Haifa itself has remained on heightened alert throughout Israel’s confrontations with Hezbollah and Iran, with the northern coastal city repeatedly facing missile threats and security incidents during the regional escalation.
The infestation also comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for renewed confrontation with Iran despite growing political and economic pressure inside Israel after months of war.
Israeli media reported late on Wednesday tensions between Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump over Iran, with Trump reportedly favouring continued negotiations while Netanyahu pushed for further escalation.
