Detention extended: Israeli soldiers accused of sexual assault on Gaza detainee
A picture of the Sde Teiman base, which has become synonymous with the detention of Gazans, taken by The New York Times in May 2024 (NYT Photo)
An Israeli military court has extended the detention of five soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee from Gaza at Sde Teiman Prison in the Negev desert. The detention will now last until next Tuesday, according to reports from Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth daily.
10 soldiers arrested
On July 29, Israel’s official broadcasting authority KAN reported that 10 Israeli soldiers were detained for causing serious injuries to a Palestinian detainee. 5 of them were later released, while the remaining 5 continue to face serious allegations, including sexual assault.
Spotlight returns to Sde Teiman Prison
The incident has brought renewed attention to the treatment of Palestinian detainees at Sde Teiman Prison. Recent reports from Palestinian, Israeli, and international human rights organizations have highlighted cases of torture at the prison, resulting in the deaths of several prisoners.
Supreme Court review petition
In response to growing concerns, the Israeli Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition from local human rights groups calling for the closure of the notorious Sde Teiman Prison. The petition cites allegations of medical neglect and other human rights violations against Palestinian detainees.
Ongoing conflict despite int’l condemnation
Israel has faced international condemnation for its continued offensive on Gaza, which has persisted despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire. Since an attack last October by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas, nearly 39,600 Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed, with nearly 91,400 injured, according to local health authorities.
10-month humanitarian suffering in Gaza
As the Israeli conflict nears its 10-month mark, Gaza continues to suffer from widespread destruction, compounded by a crippling blockade of essential supplies, including food, clean water, and medicine. Israel now stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has ordered an immediate halt to its military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over 1 million Palestinians sought refuge before the invasion on May 6.
