Reservists stand trial on charges of abusing a detainee
Three reservists are facing trial at the Beit Lid military court, charged with aggravated abuse of a detainee at the Naftali detention facility. Reports indicate the soldiers were called to the scene after a female soldier reported sexual harassment by the detainee.
Three reservists are facing trial at the Beit Lid military court, charged with aggravated abuse of a detainee at the Naftali detention facility. Channel 14 News reported on Tuesday that the soldiers were called to the scene after a female soldier reported that the detainee had sexually harassed her.
According to the report, the incident occurred in December 2024. The attorney for the three, Adv. Efraim Damri, claims that the detainee is a Hamas terrorist involved in the events of October 7. The individual was returned to the Gaza Strip before the Military Police investigation began, preventing the defense from confronting him with the soldiers' accounts or cross-examining him in court.
The defense highlights the lack of visual documentation regarding the alleged acts. Adv. Damri criticized the proceedings as an "absurd affair," noting that the complaint was filed months after the incident, once the detainee was no longer in custody.
Defense: The soldiers are paying a heavy price
MK Tali Gottlieb arrived at the court to support the soldiers and criticized the Military Prosecution. She argued that the legal system should not prioritize a terrorist's version of events over that of soldiers. Gottlieb also claimed that the indictment fails to mention the alleged sexual harassment of the female soldier.
Sima Hasson, chair of the "Mothers' March" organization, also attended the hearing. She stated that the soldiers told her the legal process had "ruined their lives" and that the stigma of the indictment could follow them for years.
IDF: The indictment is based on soldiers' testimonies
The IDF Spokesperson's Unit rejected claims that the indictment relies on the detainee's complaint. According to the IDF, the detainee provided no testimony and is not on the list of witnesses. The military added that it has no record of a complaint regarding sexual harassment committed by the detainee.
"Following a report from the 'Naftali' detention facility regarding suspected abuse of a detainee in December 2024, a Military Police investigation was opened. The detainee was an illegal resident from Gaza arrested in October 2024. In late December 2024, his detention order was cancelled, and he was deported to the Gaza Strip before the investigation began. Given the findings, which did not include testimony from the detainee, the suspects were given the opportunity to hold a hearing but chose not to do so. On July 1, 2026, the Military Prosecution filed an indictment. It is based on direct testimonies from the suspects and other soldiers collected during the investigation."
