Israeli Soldier Sentenced for Abuse of Palestinian Detainees at Military Facility

A soldier's conviction highlights ongoing concerns about treatment of detainees during the Israel-Gaza conflict.

An Israeli military court has sentenced a reservist to seven months in prison after he admitted to committing aggravated abuse against Palestinian detainees from Gaza while stationed at the Sde Teiman military detention facility. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the soldier, whose name remains undisclosed, was found guilty of multiple incidents involving physical assaults, including punching detainees and using his weapon against them while they were restrained.

The abusive actions occurred in front of fellow soldiers, some of whom urged him to cease, and were further recorded on the soldier's mobile device. According to Haaretz, this case marks the first conviction of an Israeli soldier for maltreating Gazan detainees during the ongoing war with Hamas. The Beit Lid Military Court disclosed that the reservist pled guilty to three charges of aggravated abuse and one of unbecoming conduct, stemming from four distinct incidents that took place from January to June 2024 while he oversaw the transport of detainees.

The court also revealed the presence of several unidentified masked soldiers who may have participated in these abusive acts. In addition to the prison sentence, the soldier received a suspended sentence and was demoted to the rank of private. The IDF emphasized that soldiers are expected to uphold the values of the army and applicable conduct, especially in military settings.

Reports of mistreatment at the Sde Teiman facility have surged since its establishment following the outbreak of the Gaza war 15 months ago. Earlier incidents included protests by far-right groups who stormed the facility in July as military police investigated allegations of serious offenses involving nine reservists. An October report from a UN commission indicated that significant instances of abuse, including violence towards minors and adults, had occurred in Israeli detainment, prompting accusations of torture and other serious crimes.

Israeli authorities have consistently denied claims of systemic abuse, insisting on their commitment to adhere to international law standards and holding thorough inquiries into all allegations. Following a major cross-border offensive by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals and hostages taken, the IDF has intensified operations against Hamas. Reports indicate that, as of now, 1,802 Palestinian detainees from Gaza are classified as "unlawful combatants" in Israeli prisons, excluding others held by military forces.