Israel's highest court will review the shutdown of a detention facility in the desert for Gaza inmates, following a CNN report exposing allegations of mistreatment.
In response to a plea by the Association for Civil Liberties in Israel and other human rights organizations, a hearing has been called to address issues at an Israeli military detention center. These concerns stemmed from a CNN report that revealed disturbing conditions at the facility, where Palestinians were allegedly subjected to ongoing blindfolding and physical restraints.
CNN's investigation uncovered horrifying accounts from Israeli whistleblowers as well as former Palestinian detainees and eyewitnesses, sparking an international uproar. The White House considered the allegations "deeply troubling" and planned to reach out to Israeli officials for clarification. Germany's Foreign Office criticized the reported actions and pressed for the International Committee of the Red Cross to access the refugee camp and other prisons.
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Lawless Combatant, Alice Jill Edwards, demanded Israel investigate accusations of torture and ill-treatment of Palestinian detainees.
Last week, the Israeli Defense Forces' Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, stated that an investigation was launched into the mistreatment allegations at Sde Teiman, as well as at Anatot and Ofer, two other Israeli military detention camps for Palestinians from Gaza. A committee reviewing the conditions of Palestinian detainees from Gaza is set to present its findings to Halevi by the end of the month.
On May 10, CNN released a report on Sde Teiman, a military base in the Negev Desert that has served as a detention center for Palestinians apprehended during Israel's conflict in Gaza. After the October 7 Hamas-orchestrated attack on Israel, this battle, resulting from military action in Gaza.
Three Israeli whistleblowers shared their firsthand experiences, stating that Sde Teiman prisoners were in a constant state of blindfolding and severe physical restriction. According to them, physicians performed amputations on prisoners because of the effects of continuous handcuffing.
The 18-mile-distant camp is divided into two sections: detainee enclosures and a field hospital for injured prisoners. The latter accommodates Palestinian detainees who are blindfolded, secured to their beds, wear diapers, and are fed through straws.
In response to a request by the Public Committee Against Torture in Israel, the Israeli government indicated it intends to reduce the number of inmates in military facilities and use Sde Teiman solely as a reception, interrogation, and preliminary sorting facility, with prisoners only being held for short periods of time.
Regarding the CNN report's claims, the Israeli military replied: "The IDF ensures proper treatment of detainees in custody. Any claims of soldier misconduct are investigated. When necessary, MPCID (MPCID: Military Police Criminal Investigation's Division) investigations are opened in cases deserving such action."
"Detainees are handcuffed according to their risk level and health status. Unlawful handcuffing incidents aren't known to the authorities."
The Israeli military did not directly refute reports of people being stripped naked or held in diapers. Instead, they noted that detainees receive their clothing back once they've been deemed no security risk.
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The international community has expressed concern over the conditions at the Sde Teiman detention center in the Middle East, with Germany's Foreign Office and the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture demanding investigations. The alleged mistreatment of Palestinians at this facility has also sparked a world-wide outcry.
