According to Israeli media, a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman Prison in southern Israel’s Negev desert has been brutally assaulted by Israeli soldiers. The detainee was reportedly taken to the hospital with severe injuries to an intimate body part, rendering him unable to walk.
Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported on Monday that Israeli Police have arrived at the prison to detain the soldiers implicated in the assault. The Israeli military has announced that nine soldiers are under investigation following allegations of “significant abuse” of a detainee at this high-security facility, known for its harsh conditions.
An Associated Press investigation, along with reports from various human rights organizations, has highlighted the “abysmal conditions” at Sde Teiman, Israel’s largest detention center. Earlier this year, a report by the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) noted allegations of ill-treatment and abuse of detainees in Israeli custody, though it did not specify the facility.
The Israeli military has generally denied allegations of mistreatment. Reports indicate that when military police arrived at Sde Teiman to detain the accused soldiers, they were met with protests and altercations. The detentions have sparked a strong backlash from members of Israel’s far-right government, who view the investigation as an affront to the soldiers’ service.
