JERUSALEM: Israel’s military opened an investigation into suspected abuse of a Palestinian held at a detention camp for prisoners captured during the Gaza war, it said on Monday (Jul 29), drawing an outcry from right-wing protesters and politicians.
The military said its Advocate General had ordered the inquiry “following suspected substantial abuse of a detainee”. It provided no further details.
Army Radio said military police had shown up as part of their investigation at the Sde Teiman detention site where about 10 reserve soldiers were suspected of abusing a prisoner captured from an elite unit of the Palestinian group Hamas.
Rights groups including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) have alleged serious abuse of detainees at the camp, a former military base in the Negev desert, which Israel has announced will be phased out. The military had previously announced it was investigating allegations of abuse.
As the military police arrived at the camp, a number of civilian protesters, including far-right members of parliament, gathered outside, denouncing the investigation of soldiers they said were doing their duty. Some tried to break into the base.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant denounced the break-in attempt.
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