Gaza Genocide05 November, 20253 min read
Israeli Soldiers Gang Rape Palestinian Teen Prisoner on Camera Amid Military Occupation
Israeli soldiers allegedly gang raped a Palestinian detainee at Sde Teiman prison in 2024. Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi leaked the video exposing the abuse and was subsequently arrested.
12 outlets told this the same way.
Outlets did split on Israel Marks Oct. 7 Anniversary With Strikes on Gaza, Netanyahu Faces Election After Nova Tribute →
Alleged Abuse in Detention
Multiple outlets report that a leaked surveillance video from Israel’s Sde Teiman military detention site shows Israeli soldiers sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee. The video is described with starkly different terms across sources. Al Jazeera calls it a “gang rape,” while Western mainstream outlets like NPR and CNN describe it as “allegedly sexually abusing” or “alleged sexual abuse.”
“Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, former top legal advisor to the Israeli army, is in custody after admitting to leaking a surveillance video showing Israeli soldiers allegedly sexually abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman military prison.”
Another outlet, gtvnewshd, states the footage revealed “rape and torture.” Evrim Ağacı and Ukrainian National News similarly say the video shows abuse of a Palestinian detainee. None of the sources specify the detainee’s age, and no source confirms the person was a teen.
Military Leaker Case Details
The leaker, Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, Israel’s former top military lawyer, admitted approving the video’s release and then resigned before being arrested.
Outlets differ on her stated motive and the scope of charges.
NPR reports she intended to expose abuse.
Gtvnewshd and The Media Line say she released it to counter what she called false propaganda and claims the military unfairly targeted soldiers.
The listed charges vary by outlet: Al Jazeera cites fraud, breach of trust, obstruction of justice, and abuse of office.
CNN adds abuse of power, leaking information, and allegedly misleading the High Court.
Gtvnewshd and Israel from the Inside emphasize unauthorized disclosure-related offenses.
Former chief prosecutor Col. Matan Solomesh/Salomosh was also arrested, according to NPR, Al Jazeera, CNN, and Evrim Ağacı.
Reactions to Israeli Scandal
The fallout inside Israel has been explosive. NPR reports protests and a violent break-in at Sde Teiman after the video became public. CNN says right-wing supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mobilized protests.
“The footage, intended to expose the abuse, sparked protests and a violent break-in at the detention center.”
Gtvnewshd reports right-wing figures defended the accused soldiers as “heroes” and attacked the investigation. Al Jazeera reports Netanyahu and allies accused Tomer-Yerushalmi of “treason,” shifting attention from the assault to punishing the leaker.
The Media Line says authorities are deflecting blame onto gatekeepers and the judiciary, and quotes Netanyahu calling the leak Israel’s worst PR disaster. SSBCrack News adds that arrests in the case triggered street confrontations during the police operations.
Accountability for Soldier Misconduct
Multiple sources report that five reservist soldiers were indicted after the video’s authenticity was confirmed. However, key consequences remain limited despite these indictments. gtvnewshd states that although five soldiers were charged, none were detained or suspended.
Evrim Ağacı notes that the five reservists were indicted in February 2025 and are seeking dismissal of their trial scheduled for November 2025. CNN adds that the detainee was returned to Gaza under a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, complicating prosecution efforts. Ukrainian National News reports that the reservists were accused of severely beating the prisoner, with allegations including both sexual assault and physical brutality.
Israel's Political and Legal Crisis
The scandal widened Israel’s internal power struggle and exposed global risks. CNN reports Justice Minister Yariv Levin tried to block the attorney general’s investigation, which was condemned as unlawful interference. Israel from the Inside frames the episode as a major crisis testing judicial independence as Levin battles Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
“Justice Minister Yariv Levin attempting to block the attorney general’s investigation, a move condemned as unlawful interference.”
The Media Line says the leak intensified boycotts and fears of soldiers being prosecuted abroad. Gtvnewshd states the leak has amplified scrutiny over alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza. Evrim Ağacı adds that international bodies like the UN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned detainee abuses and criticized Israel’s push for a death penalty law for terrorism suspects.
