Israel extends detention of 5 soldiers accused of sexually assaulting Gaza prisoner

An Israeli military court yesterday extended the detention of five soldiers accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian prisoner from Gaza in the Sde Teiman detention facility, according to local media.

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that the military court ruled that  the men could be held until tomorrow. They are accused of sexually and physically assaulting a Palestinian prisoner from the Gaza Strip.

The newspaper quoted Judge Lt. Col. Toby Hart as saying that there is a reasonable and solid basis to assume that the detainee was harmed, and that there is reasonable suspicion that the five harmed the detainee together.

He added: “I do not see the possibility of releasing the suspects as an alternative to arrest, and they will be presented to extend their detention until Tuesday.”

On 29 July, the official broadcasting authority reported that 10 Israeli soldiers seriously injured a Palestinian prisoner from the Gaza Strip in the army’s Sde Teiman detention centre leaving him hospitalised and unable to walk. Five were later released.

The Israeli Supreme Court is considering a petition submitted by Israeli human rights organisations to close the notorious Sde Teiman prison, where whistleblowers have raised concerns about the torture and medical neglect Palestinian prisoners from Gaza are subjected to.

In May, CNN exposed gruesome details of abuse, torture and mistreatment of Palestinians from Gaza in the detention facility with doctors speaking to the news organisation about the torture inflicted on detainees. Released prisoners have accused medical staff at the facilities of taking part in humiliating and torturing inmates.

Read: Israel returns sexually abused Gaza detainee to detention centre where he was tortured