The US on Wednesday (7/8) urged Israel to investigate and enforce accountability after a video emerged showing soldiers sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee.
Leaked surveillance video, broadcast on Israel's Channel 12, shows soldiers selecting a prisoner at the Sde Teiman base, where Israel held Palestinians during the Gaza war.
The Israeli soldiers appeared to be performing sexual acts on the detainees behind a curtain. At least one soldier was seen placing his hand on his own crotch.
“We have seen horrific videos and reports of sexual abuse of detainees,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller told reporters.
Released Palestinian prisoners frequently allege torture, rape and other abuses in custody, which Israeli authorities deny.
This week, UN experts warned of Israel’s “increasing use of torture” against Palestinian detainees since the war on Gaza began, and called for efforts to prevent crimes against humanity.
“The human rights of detainees must be respected in all cases, and when there are allegations of abuse, the Israeli government needs to take steps to investigate those alleged to have committed abuses and, if necessary, hold them accountable,” Miller said, adding that the Israeli military investigation “must be conducted expeditiously.”
An Israeli military spokesman contacted by AFP news agency said the military was studying the report.
The military said late last month it had opened an investigation into “alleged abuse” of a detainee at Sde Teiman following reports from international media, UN agencies and human rights organisations.
Nine soldiers were interrogated. This prompted right-wing Israeli activists, some of them with close ties to the government, to rush to Sde Teiman to show support for the suspects. Some managed to break into the facility.
The US is a key ally of Israel in its war with Gaza, but has repeatedly expressed concern about the high number of civilian casualties.
Hamas launched its deadliest offensive against Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,198 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. The militants also captured 251 people, 111 of whom remain in Gaza, including 39 the military said were killed.
Israel's retaliatory attacks have killed 39,677 people in Gaza, according to the Gaza health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths. The Israeli offensive has also destroyed large swathes of Palestinian territory, including residential areas, schools and other vital infrastructure. (ka/ab)
