IDF drops charges against soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainee

Israel’s military has dropped charges against soldiers accused of sexually abusing a Palestinian prisoner at a wartime detention facility at the Sde Teiman base. The high-profile case has deeply divided Israeli society.

The incident relates to events in July 2024 at the military base in southern Israel, where five reservists were initially investigated for rape and later indicted for “aggravated abuse” after leaked video appeared to show a blindfolded Palestinian detainee being assaulted.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Thursday that prosecutors had withdrawn the indictment, citing insufficient evidence to secure a conviction and procedural concerns after the video footage was leaked to the media. The military also said the alleged victim had since been returned to Gaza, creating uncertainty over whether he would be able to testify at trial.

In the video, the soldiers are seen taking aside a detainee lying face down and surrounding him with riot shields in what appears to be an attempt to conceal their actions.

The indictment said one of the soldiers stabbed the detainee near the rectum with a sharp object. The detainee was later taken to the hospital in life-threatening condition with fractured ribs and blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. He underwent surgery before being returned to the facility days later.

The scandal contributed to the resignation of the IDF’s former military advocate general, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who acknowledged authorizing the release of the footage “to counter the false propaganda.” 

The case triggered a fierce national debate. The accused reservists have publicly defended their actions, claiming they were being unfairly prosecuted and vowing to “fight for justice.” 

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the decision, stating that “Israel must pursue its enemies, not its heroic fighters.” Defense Minister Israel Katz likewise said “justice has been done.” 

Human rights groups, however, strongly criticized the decision. The Public Committee Against Torture in Israel accused the IDF of whitewashing 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, partially converted into a detention camp for Palestinians suspected of militant activity during the Gaza war, has faced allegations of widespread torture and abuse.