Soldier Sentenced for Abuse of Palestinian Detainees at Sde Teiman Facility

An Israeli military court has found a reservist guilty of serious misconduct against Palestinian detainees, marking a significant judicial response to allegations of abuse at military facilities during ongoing conflict.

An Israeli military court has sentenced a soldier to seven months in prison after he confessed to multiple instances of grievous abuse inflicted on Palestinian detainees from Gaza at the Sde Teiman military detention center. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that the soldier, whose name has not been disclosed, was convicted of several incidents involving physical assaults, including punching restrained and blindfolded detainees as well as using his firearm during these acts.

According to military records, the abuse occurred in front of fellow soldiers, some of whom implored him to cease his actions. Disturbingly, the events were recorded on the soldier's personal mobile device. Reports by Haaretz highlight that this soldier is the first to face conviction for the mistreatment of Gazan detainees amid active conflict with Hamas. He confessed to three counts of aggravated abuse and one charge of unbecoming conduct as part of a plea agreement pertaining to four incidents reported between January and June 2024, while he was responsible for supervising the transportation of detainees.

The Beit Lid Military Court indicated that an unconfirmed number of unidentified soldiers wearing masks were also involved in the misconduct. In addition to his prison sentence, the convicted soldier received a suspended sentence and was demoted to the rank of private. The IDF emphasized the responsibility of soldiers to conduct themselves according to military ethics and protocols, especially during warfare.

The Sde Teiman facility, established following the onset of the Gaza conflict 15 months ago, has attracted scrutiny for alleged severe abuses. In July, protests erupted when far-right activists breached the facility following an investigation into nine reservists accused of raping a detainee and inflicting life-threatening injuries. In October, a UN commission report asserted that numerous Palestinian detainees, including children, had faced extensive and systematic abuse, which could amount to war crimes.

The Israeli government refuted claims of widespread torture and maltreatment, asserting its adherence to international legal standards and commitment to thoroughly investigate all allegations. The current escalation in hostilities, initiated in response to a major cross-border assault on October 7, 2023, has led to significant casualties, including over 47,000 fatalities in Gaza as reported by local health authorities. As of now, Israeli advocacy group HaMoked indicates that 1,802 Palestinians from Gaza are classified as "unlawful combatants," not counting those held by military forces.