Israeli media releases footage of soldiers raping Palestinian detainees in Sde Teiman detention camp
Palestinian-run media sources have published what they claim is a video depicting soldiers at the Sde Teiman detention center raping their Palestinian prisoner. This revelation was made after nine Israeli soldiers were detained late last month for sexually assaulting a Palestinian at Sde Teiman, a detention center in the Negev desert of south Israel.
Since the operation in Gaza began in October, many Palestinians living in custody have testified to the sexual abuse they have been subjected to in Sde Teiman. Though these allegations were aired, no arrest was made until July 29 in connection with these allegations. On that day, military police stormed the facility, engaged the soldiers, and arrested the accused.
These arrests raised a lot of controversy within the Israeli territory, especially among its citizens. A rally consisting of Neo-Nazi elements and an MP and a Minister attacked both the detention facility and a military court regarding detentions.
On Tuesday, an unconfirmed video aired on Channel 12 was presented as the recording of the Palestinian detainee’s beating. Sources reveal that the victim was taken to a field hospital in Sde Teiman with impaired/injured organs, including a ruptured bowel, severe bleeding of the rectum and anus, lung trauma, and broken ribs.
In this video, which is one of the materials included in the material of inquiry, Palestinians are lying on their stomachs with their hands and eyes tied. This depicts a group of Force 100 reserve soldiers guarding the prisoners, trying to corner one detained and cover their act with riot shields.
KTVB or Channel 12 said that the suspects flunked the polygraph test. The questions asked were, “Did you insert an object in the Palestinian’s anus during a search?” and Are you concealing the identity of the person who inserted an object in the Palestinian’s anus?” Both the suspects denied the same by saying ‘no’ to the questions, but as per the polygraph examiner’s interpretation, this was a lie.
The examiner observed “abnormal breathing” during the test, which pointed to the subject’s efforts to interfere with it. This pattern gave more concrete reasons for suspicion concerning the suspects’ intelligent motives.
About 4 thousand Palestinians were detained in Israel from Gaza since the beginning of October this year. Most of the women and men are interrogated within the enclave, but increasing numbers are taken to Sde Teiman, irrespective of their fighting role. Hearse of the torturing, raping, and killing of the detainees, this place has been infamous for its brutality to the Palestine detainees for many years.
As a result of such accusations, the Israel High Court delivered an order subject to certain conditions on July 15 to shut down Sde Teiman. The order requires the government to explain why the detention facility is not run based on the legal provisions concerning the unlawful combatants’ internment.
Middle East Eye, CNN, and the New York Times investigations have confirmed further details about mistreatment in Sde Teiman. The appearance of recent arrests and the release of sets of damaging video materials have increased attention and demands for this or that act of the Israeli government and the international community.
