Military Court Extends Detention of Soldier Suspected of Abuse
A military court extended the detention of an Israeli paratrooper suspected of severely abusing a handcuffed and blindfolded Palestinian detainee near Jenin.
A military court extended the detention of a paratrooper brigade soldier suspected of severely abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Gilboa checkpoint near Jenin. The incident occurred on October 22 when soldiers found a knife in a vehicle during routine checks and detained the driver for questioning.
According to the Military Police investigation, while the blindfolded and handcuffed detainee was held at the Jalama post waiting for Shin Bet interrogation, the suspect kicked him, struck him with his rifle, and burned him with lit cigarettes. Investigators also suspect the soldier forced feces onto the victim's body and face.
Fellow soldiers discovered the abuse after noticing a strong odor in the guard post and reported it to their commanders, who transferred the case to the Military Police. Three soldiers were initially questioned; two were released, while sufficient evidence was gathered against the third.
The suspect admits to striking the detainee but denies the other allegations, though investigators found his testimony inconsistent. The victim was released shortly after the initial check when it was determined he had no ties to terrorism, and he later testified before the Military Police. A military court extended the soldier's remand until November 12, 2026, ahead of an impending indictment.
