On 29 July 2024, the Israeli Military Police initiated an investigation at the Sde Teiman detention facility near Beersheba into allegations of serious abuse—including sexual assault—against a Palestinian detainee arrested during the Gaza ground operation.

Israel’s army radio said military police arrived at Sde Teiman as part of their investigation of 10 reserve IDF soldiers who were suspected of abusing the prisoner (as a footage attested), so-called "a member of the Nukhba forces who has been classed as an illegal combatant”. A man stands blindfolded with his hands on his head near wire fencing, with other men seated behind him. The sexual gang- abuse took place three weeks ago, on July 7, 2024. The detainee was found “in a very serious condition”, requiring his evacuation to a nearby hospital where he underwent surgery.

Nine soldiers were detained, accused of “serious abuse of a detainee”, according to Israel’s army radio, while the 10th was expected to be arrested later as he was not at the base when the police arrived.

But the operation triggered an angry confrontation between the military police and IDF soldiers at Sde Teiman, captured on video by a reporter from Israel’s public broadcaster Kann News.

In response, dozens of right-wing civilian protesters, including Knesset members and far-right politicians, stormed through the base’s gates, chanting in support of the soldiers and condemning the investigation.

Hours later, many moved on to Beit Lid, a nearby IDF base housing a military court and detainees. Protesters again forced their way in, clashing with security forces before being pushed back.

Allegations & Background:

The investigation centered on nine reserve soldiers accused of torture and sexual assault, including rectal injuries, of a Palestinian Prisonner— reportedly resulting in serious physical harm.

The detainee was hospitalized with severe injuries—broken ribs, intestinal damage, and anal trauma.

Sde Teiman detention camp, sometimes dubbed "Guantánamo-like," has faced long-standing accusations of systemic torture, sexual violence, and neglect against Palestinian detainees.

Official Reactions:

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi denounced the break-ins as “unlawful behaviors bordering on anarchy” and warned they undermined military order and national security.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for calm and condemned the storming of the bases.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stressed that even during wartime, the law still applies and unauthorized entry into military installations is unacceptable.

Political support to impunity:

Far-right ministers and MKs like Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Amichay Eliyahu, Zvi Sukkot, and others condemned the arrests and supported the protesters, calling the soldiers “heroes”

In contrast, police and military leadership criticized the lack of enforcement and delays in responding to the breaches — notably at Beit Lid — citing a breakdown in security protocols

Perpetrators:

The names of the specific soldiers involved have not been made public. Military authorities have referred to them generically—as reserve soldiers, including some ranking as officers—but all official documents and media reports continue to withhold their identities.

Nine reserve soldiers were held and appeared before a military court; names were not released. And five soldiers—members of “Force 100”—were formally charged in February 2025. Their identities remain redacted in the indictment, and no names have been disclosed by military officials.

Meir Ben Shitrit is publicly confirmed as the main suspect in the Sde Teiman sexual torture case. He made multiple on-air appearances acknowledging his name and role. He claims the military interrogation included praise. His media presence has been covered widely, and he’s been applauded and supported on Channel 14.

Victim

Primary Victim in Legal Proceedings was identified only by the pseudonym “S.A.”. It referres to as a senior Palestinian detainee, reportedly a police officer from Gaza, transferred from Ofer Prison to Sde Teiman in July 2024. S.A. was severely injured: beaten, tasered, stabbed in the anus with a sharp object puncturing his rectum, sustaining seven broken ribs and a punctured lung. He underwent surgery and required a colostomy bag.

Other testimonies:

Ibrahim Salem: his image (blindfolded at Sde Teiman) went viral. He reported systematic rape, electrocution, beatings, rectal injuries, and gang-rape by both male and female soldiers

Islam al‑Sarsawi (42) and Omar Junaid: reportedly tortured to death at Sde Teiman; their deaths were confirmed by Palestinian rights groups in early August 2024.

On July 7, 2025 : Mediation Proposed for Soldiers Accused of Abusing Gazan Detainee at Sde Teiman

Over a year after their arrest, five Israeli reservist soldiers accused of beating and sexually abusing a Gazan detainee at the Sde Teiman detention facility still haven't faced trial. The military court president, Col. Meir Wegiser, proposed mediation instead of trial, citing prolonged delays and challenges for the defendants.

The charges are "aggravated abuse and severe bodily harm". Defense claims missing investigative material; also stalled by an ongoing video leak investigation. Identities of the accused remain undisclosed. The proposal for mediation was conditionally accepted by the prosecution. The defense is waiting on full case files.