Allegations of sexual abuse against nine Israeli soldiers involving a Palestinian detainee have triggered significant unrest and protests. The soldiers are slated to appear before a military court at the Beit Lid base to determine whether their detention will be extended. The alleged incident occurred at the Sde Teiman facility, known for housing many Gaza prisoners during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Supporters of the detained soldiers, including members of Israel’s parliament and government ministers, have protested against the investigation, calling for harsher treatment of prisoners. These protests escalated when several hundred demonstrators broke into Sde Teiman and later into the Beit Lid military base, leading to clashes between Israeli soldiers, police, and protesters.
Following the protests, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant condemned the break-ins and called for an investigation into whether National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir delayed the police response. Ben-Gvir denied these allegations, stating they were baseless.
Israeli Soldiers Face Military Court Amid Protests Over Alleged Abuse of Palestinian Detainee
The protests occur amidst the larger backdrop of Israel’s war against Hamas, which began in October 2023 after a Hamas attack on Israel. The conflict has resulted in extensive airstrikes on Gaza, with significant Palestinian casualties and international calls for a ceasefire. The Gaza Health Ministry reports over 39,000 Palestinians killed, and the rising death toll continues to draw global concern.
Details of the specific allegations remain unclear. Defense lawyer Nati Rom, representing three of the soldiers, claims the detainee was a high-ranking Hamas militant who attacked officers, necessitating the use of force but denying any sexual abuse.
Rom describes the accusations as “acts of sodomy,” but his account and the detainee’s identity have not been independently verified. The military has characterized the allegations as “substantial abuse,” while Israeli authorities maintain they investigate all claims of abuse and act within legal frameworks.
