Israeli soldiers held over rape of Palestinian detainee

The Israeli military announced Monday that nine soldiers are being held in connection with a suspected case of abuse involving a Palestinian detainee. The incident reportedly occurred at the Sde Teiman detention facility, which has been housing Palestinians detained from Gaza since the recent outbreak of conflict.

The military has confirmed that the soldiers are being questioned about the allegations. According to reports, the Palestinian Prisoners Club has accused the guards at Sde Teiman of sexually abusing the detainee. Abdullah Al-Zaghari, the head of the NGO, described the incident as a “new rape crime.”

The news prompted a strong reaction from various quarters. Israeli civilians staged protests outside a military base where the soldiers are being held. Some protesters also broke into the Sde Teiman facility, leading to clashes with security forces. Television footage captured the scenes of unrest, including the breach of the detention facility and protests at the military base.

Far-right Israeli figures, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, voiced support for the detained soldiers. Ben Gvir urged the public to “take your hands off the reservists” on social media.

In contrast, high-ranking Israeli officials condemned the actions of those who broke into the facility. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant both issued statements condemning the unauthorized entries and calling for a return to order. Netanyahu emphasized that such actions undermine state security, while Gallant reminded the public that the law applies to all, even in times of conflict.

The Sde Teiman facility was established shortly after the conflict began on October 7, following a surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel. The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with varying reports from different sources on the number of deaths and detainees.

Amnesty International has called for an end to the indefinite detention of Palestinians from Gaza and has documented cases of “rampant torture” in Israeli prisons. The organization reported that Palestinians, including minors, have been held for extended periods without contact with their families.