An Israeli human – rights group has cautioned that the decision allows soldiers to have “license to rape” Palestinian detainees
Israel’s military has dropped the charges against soldiers who were accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner at a wartime detention facility at the Sde Teiman base. This high – profile case has caused a deep rift in Israeli society.
The incident is related to what happened in July 2024 at the military base in southern Israel. Five reservists were first investigated for rape and later indicted for “aggravated abuse” after a leaked video seemed to show a blindfolded Palestinian detainee being attacked.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Thursday that prosecutors had withdrawn the indictment. They cited insufficient evidence to secure a conviction and procedural concerns after the video footage was leaked to the media. The military also mentioned that the alleged victim had since been sent back to Gaza, which creates uncertainty about whether he can testify at the trial.
In the video, the soldiers are seen taking a detainee who is lying face – down to one side and surrounding him with riot shields, seemingly in an attempt to hide their actions.
The indictment stated that one of the soldiers stabbed the detainee near the rectum with a sharp object. The detainee was later taken to the hospital in a life – threatening condition with fractured ribs and blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. He had surgery before being returned to the facility a few days later.
The scandal led to the resignation of the IDF’s former military advocate general, Major General Yifat Tomer – Yerushalmi, who admitted authorizing the release of the footage “to counter the false propaganda.”
The case sparked a fierce national debate. The accused reservists have publicly defended their actions, claiming that they were being unjustly prosecuted and vowing to “fight for justice.”
On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision, saying that “Israel must pursue its enemies, not its heroic fighters.” Defense Minister Israel Katz also said “justice has been done.”
However, human – rights groups strongly criticized the decision. The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel accused the IDF of covering up the scandal, stating that “Israel’s military advocate general just gave his soldiers license to rape … so long as the victim is Palestinian.”
The Sde Teiman base, which was partially turned into a detention camp for Palestinians suspected of militant activity during the Gaza war, has faced accusations of widespread torture and abuse.