Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Israel’s chief military advocate, Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, has been arrested following her admission to leaking video footage that allegedly shows Israeli soldiers raping a Palestinian prisoner at the Sde Teiman detention camp in the Negev Desert. The footage, which surfaced in August 2024 via Israel’s Channel 12, triggered international condemnation and domestic controversy.
Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned on Friday, taking full responsibility for the leak. She was arrested on multiple charges, including abuse of office, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice, after authorities traced the disclosure of the video to her.
In her resignation letter, excerpts of which were published in Israeli media, she explained that the leak was intended to counter criticism that the military prioritized Palestinian detainees over Israeli troops. She wrote that the military has a duty to investigate “when there is reasonable suspicion of violence against a detainee,” but added that this principle “no longer convinces everyone.”
The footage reportedly shows a blindfolded Palestinian detainee lying face down among several prisoners. He is then singled out and taken to a corner where multiple soldiers surround him. The victim later required hospitalization for severe rib injuries that left him unable to walk, according to Israeli reports. A United Nations spokesperson called the video “shocking,” prompting widespread scrutiny.
Several members of the IDF’s Unit 100, including a captain and a major, have been arrested in connection with the incident. Five reservists face charges including aggravated assault and causing serious bodily harm, with reports indicating that one used a “sharp object” during the attack. The detainee has since been released as part of a prisoner-hostage exchange between Israel and Hamas.
Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir confirmed that Tomer-Yerushalmi was taken into custody on Sunday night. At a subsequent court hearing on Monday, a judge extended her detention by 48 hours. Police had conducted a search after her family raised safety concerns, eventually locating her following the discovery of her abandoned car near a Tel Aviv beach.
The incident has sparked international concern over human rights and accountability within the Israeli military. Critics have emphasized the severity of the sexual assault and called for a thorough, impartial investigation, while some domestic voices have rallied in support of the arrested soldiers, highlighting the deep divisions over military conduct and transparency.
