A leaked video from 2024 has sparked outrage, allegedly showing Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner at a detention site. The footage, which aired on Israel’s Channel 12 in August 2024, appears to depict soldiers leading a blindfolded detainee away and surrounding him with riot shields as they carry out the abuse. The incident occurred at the Sde Teiman base near the Gaza border.
According to reports, the detainee suffered severe injuries, including a ruptured bowel, anal and lung injuries, and broken ribs. Five reservists were initially investigated for rape, but their charges were later downgraded to “severe abuse” in a February indictment. All five have denied the charges, and their trial is ongoing.
The scandal has reignited after the Israel Defense Force’s top military lawyer, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, admitted to approving the video’s release and subsequently resigned from her post. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned the leak, describing it as the “most serious public relations attack against Israel” since its founding. He has called for an independent and impartial inquiry into the matter.
The leak followed the arrest of the reservists accused of abuse, which sparked right-wing riots demanding their release. Tomer-Yerushalmi stated that she released the video due to pressure to halt the investigation into the incident, citing her duty to act on “reasonable suspicion of violence against a detainee.” However, multiple right-wing politicians have claimed that the release of the footage amounts to a “blood libel” against falsely accused soldiers.
The case has drawn sharp criticism from a UN commission investigating Israel’s treatment of Palestinians, which noted that detainees at Sde Teiman and other Israeli detention sites are routinely subjected to violence, including beatings and acts of a sexual nature. The UN has previously accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians, citing these and other findings.
The incident has significant implications for Israel’s international reputation and its treatment of Palestinian detainees. The ongoing trial of the five reservists and the investigation into the leak are likely to continue to attract attention and scrutiny. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how Israel will respond to the allegations and what measures will be taken to address the concerns raised by the UN and other international organizations.