The Israeli Supreme Court is currently reviewing a petition to close a desert military prison, Sde Teiman, where allegations of abuse against Palestinian detainees have surfaced. The facility has been at the center of a legal battle since June, with rights groups advocating for its closure due to reported grave conditions and abuse by Israeli soldiers. The claims are based on testimonies from released detainees and Israeli whistleblowers.
In late July, the arrest of 10 soldiers from Sde Teiman on suspicion of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee further fueled calls for the prison's closure. While five soldiers are no longer under investigation, a physician who reported the incident described the detainee's injuries as indicative of serious sexual abuse.
A video recently emerged purportedly showing the assault, with masked soldiers restraining the detainee in a fenced-in pen. The footage aligns with descriptions of the facility provided by former soldiers and whistleblowers. Military prosecutors have acknowledged the evidence presented in the case, though the Israeli military has not commented on the video.
U.S. officials have condemned the reports of abuse, emphasizing the need for respecting prisoners' human rights and holding perpetrators accountable. Dr. Yoel Donchin, who treated the detainee, revealed the extent of the injuries, including fractured ribs and signs of beating.
The Israeli government has defended the prison's conditions, stating that detainees receive adequate care and that security measures are in place to prevent harm to staff. Plans for a new wing at Sde Teiman aim to improve conditions, with additional enhancements expected later this year.
Following the recent court hearing, the state has been given a deadline to provide more information about the prison's conditions. As detainees are gradually moved out of Sde Teiman, the legal battle over its closure continues.
