Israeli Soldiers Reinstated After Abuse Charges Dropped

Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, has authorised the reinstatement of five soldiers previously accused of sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp, following the dismissal of charges against them.

The soldiers, members of the Force 100 unit responsible for guarding military prisons, have been cleared to resume reserve duties despite an ongoing internal military investigation into their conduct. Israeli media reports indicate that some of the reservists have already returned to active combat roles.

According to the Israeli military, the decision to drop the charges was influenced by “complexities in the evidentiary structure” and challenges linked to the detainee’s release to the Gaza Strip. The case had drawn widespread attention after footage aired on Israeli television allegedly showed the abuse of the inmate.

Initial indictments accused the soldiers of aggravated assault and causing severe injuries, including internal damage. A doctor at the facility reportedly described the detainee’s condition as shocking.

The move has drawn strong criticism from human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, which condemned the decision as a failure of justice and part of a broader pattern of impunity in cases involving alleged abuse of Palestinian detainees.

The Israeli military has stated that a command-level investigation is still ongoing and will be concluded as soon as possible.