The Israeli military has confirmed that nine soldiers are being held for questioning in connection with allegations of substantial abuse of a detainee at a detention facility in Sde Teiman, where Palestinian prisoners have been held during the Gaza conflict. The military has not provided specific details regarding the alleged abuse but has initiated an investigation led by its top legal official.
Reports by various sources, including The Associated Press and rights groups, have shed light on the poor conditions at the Sde Teiman facility, which is known as the largest detention center in Israel. The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, also documented claims of ill-treatment and abuse by detainees in Israeli custody.
While the military has generally denied mistreatment of detainees, it has acknowledged the need for improvements at the facility. In response to recent accusations, Israel has announced plans to relocate most Palestinian detainees from Sde Teiman and enhance its facilities.
Israeli media reported that military police officers faced resistance and protests when attempting to detain the soldiers at Sde Teiman. The detentions have sparked controversy within Israel's government, particularly among far-right members who have criticized the investigation as an insult to the soldiers' service.
Since the outbreak of the conflict following a Hamas attack on October 7, Israel has detained thousands of Palestinians, with some being released after investigations determined they were not linked to Hamas. Human rights organizations in Israel have raised concerns about the treatment of detainees at Sde Teiman, where the majority of Palestinian prisoners have been held at some point.
Efforts are underway by international mediators to broker a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of remaining hostages. The situation remains fluid as negotiations continue.
For more updates on this developing story, visit AP's coverage.
