On July 29, 2024, the Israeli military arrested nine soldiers on suspicion of severely abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center in southern Israel. The detainee, allegedly a member of Hamas’ elite unit, was hospitalized with serious injuries, including reports of sexual abuse and anal injuries. The Israeli military launched an investigation into the incident, which reportedly occurred about three weeks ago.The arrests sparked outrage among right-wing Israeli politicians and civilians. Protesters, including far-right Members of Parliament, attempted to storm military bases, including Sde Teiman and Beit Lid, demanding the release of the accused soldiers. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir called the arrests ‘shameful’ and vowed to support the soldiers. Similarly, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich referred to the detained soldiers as ‘heroes’.However, high-ranking Israeli officials condemned the protests and attempts to breach military facilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Army Chief of Staff General Herzi Halevi emphasized the importance of upholding the law and maintaining order, even in times of anger. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated that ‘there is no room for violence against soldiers or entry into military bases’.The incident has reignited debates about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Physicians for Human Rights, have long criticized the conditions in these facilities, reporting routine violence, food deprivation, and physical and psychological abuse. The Sde Teiman detention center, established in October 2023 following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas, has been a particular focus of these concerns.
Key points
- Nine Israeli soldiers were arrested for allegedly torturing a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman detention center.
- The arrests sparked protests from right-wing Israeli politicians and civilians, who attempted to storm military bases.
- High-ranking Israeli officials, including the Prime Minister and Army Chief, condemned the protests and emphasized the importance of upholding the law.
- The incident has reignited debates about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention centers.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reported number of arrested soldiers, with most sources citing nine, while one source mentions ten.
👾Some sources report the incident occurred at Sde Teiman detention center, while others refer to it as Sde Tzvi.
