An Israeli military court has sentenced a soldier to seven months in prison after he confessed to the aggravated abuse of Palestinian detainees at the Sde Teiman detention facility. The soldier, whose identity has not been revealed, was found guilty of multiple incidents in which he allegedly punched detainees while using his weapon against them as they were handcuffed and blindfolded. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that these acts took place in front of other soldiers, some of whom urged him to stop, and were even recorded on the soldier's mobile phone.
Israeli Soldier Sentenced for Abusing Palestinian Detainees Amid Ongoing Conflict
Israeli Soldier Sentenced for Abusing Palestinian Detainees Amid Ongoing Conflict
An Israeli reservist has been convicted and jailed for the aggravated abuse of Palestinians detained in Gaza, following several reports of misconduct during the ongoing conflict.
The incident marks a notable case as it represents the first time a soldier has been convicted for abusing Gazans amid the ongoing war. According to the Haaretz newspaper, the Beit Lid Military Court disclosed that the soldier entered into a plea bargain acknowledging three counts of aggravated assault and one of unbecoming conduct. These counts pertained to four distinct incidences that occurred between January and June 2024 while the soldier was tasked with safeguarding transport vehicles containing detainees.
Furthermore, the court identified additional masked soldiers who seemingly participated in the abusive conduct, although their identities remain undisclosed. In addition to prison time, the soldier received a suspended sentence and was demoted to the rank of private. The IDF emphasized the responsibility of all soldiers to apply the force entrusted to them according to military standards, particularly during wartime.
The Sde Teiman facility has been criticized for allegations of serious maltreatment following the outbreak of the Gaza war 15 months ago. In a notable incident in July, far-right demonstrators stormed the detention site after military police arrived to investigate claims against nine reservists accused of raping a detainee, culminating in several arrests.
Previous reports from a UN inquiry accused Israel of systematically abusing detainees from Gaza, including acts of torture and sexual violence. In response, the Israeli government has denied allegations of widespread mistreatment, affirming its commitment to international legal norms, and stating that it conducts thorough investigations of each complaint.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign against Hamas was launched in retaliation for a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 individuals and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 more. As the conflict continues, over 47,550 people have died in Gaza according to local health reports. Presently, Israeli rights organization HaMoked claims that 1,802 Palestinians from Gaza are detained as “unlawful combatants.”
Furthermore, the court identified additional masked soldiers who seemingly participated in the abusive conduct, although their identities remain undisclosed. In addition to prison time, the soldier received a suspended sentence and was demoted to the rank of private. The IDF emphasized the responsibility of all soldiers to apply the force entrusted to them according to military standards, particularly during wartime.
The Sde Teiman facility has been criticized for allegations of serious maltreatment following the outbreak of the Gaza war 15 months ago. In a notable incident in July, far-right demonstrators stormed the detention site after military police arrived to investigate claims against nine reservists accused of raping a detainee, culminating in several arrests.
Previous reports from a UN inquiry accused Israel of systematically abusing detainees from Gaza, including acts of torture and sexual violence. In response, the Israeli government has denied allegations of widespread mistreatment, affirming its commitment to international legal norms, and stating that it conducts thorough investigations of each complaint.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign against Hamas was launched in retaliation for a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which claimed the lives of around 1,200 individuals and resulted in the kidnapping of 251 more. As the conflict continues, over 47,550 people have died in Gaza according to local health reports. Presently, Israeli rights organization HaMoked claims that 1,802 Palestinians from Gaza are detained as “unlawful combatants.”
