Israeli court considers shutting down prison where soldiers are accused of sexually assaulting Palestinian detainees

The Israeli Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition to close a military prison in the desert where soldiers have been accused of mistreating Palestinians. The prison, known as Sde Teiman, has been at the center of controversy since rights groups began a legal battle to shut it down. Allegations of abuse by Israeli soldiers have been supported by testimony from released detainees and whistleblowers from Israel.

Calls for the closure of Sde Teiman intensified after the arrest of 10 soldiers suspected of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the facility. Although five of the soldiers are no longer under investigation, a physician who reported the attack described the detainee as having been seriously abused. The incident led to protests and demands for the soldiers’ release, exposing tensions between military command and hard-line nationalists advocating for harsher treatment of Palestinian detainees from Gaza.

According to defense lawyer Nati Rom, the soldiers were accused of sodomy but claimed they used force to defend themselves during a search, denying any sexual abuse. A video has emerged allegedly showing the assault, depicting masked soldiers restraining a detainee in a fenced-in area. Former soldiers familiar with the facility believe the video was filmed at Sde Teiman based on the layout matching descriptions of the location.

Military prosecutors stated they have enough evidence to suspect the soldiers of the alleged assault. The U.S. State Department condemned the reports of abuse, emphasizing the importance of respecting prisoners’ human rights and holding accountable those responsible for violations.

Additional information came to light from Dr. Yoel Donchin, who treated the victim and reported the case to military authorities. The detainee required emergency surgery after suffering severe injuries, including fractured ribs and signs of beating. An advocate for human rights confirmed the severity of the injuries, stating the detainee had to be transferred to a civilian hospital for treatment.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, pushing for the closure of Sde Teiman, accused the facility of subjecting detainees to violence, including sexual assault. The Israeli state refuted claims of deplorable conditions, asserting that detainees receive adequate care, including food, water, and medical treatment. Plans for improvements at the facility have been outlined to address concerns raised by rights groups and court proceedings.

Following the court hearing, the state was given a deadline to provide more details about conditions at the prison. Sde Teiman, previously a key detention center for Palestinians captured in Gaza raids, has started transferring detainees out in response to the petition for its closure. The legal framework allows for Palestinians from Gaza to be held in such facilities without trial for extended periods, with detainees often released back to Gaza after being deemed unrelated to militant activities.