12 Prison Guards Charged in Death of Palestinian Prisoner

Israel's State Prosecution has filed an indictment against 12 Israel Prison Service (IPS) officers for the negligent homicide of security prisoner Thaer Abu A'atab and the assault of eight other inmates at Ketziot Prison. The indictment, submitted to the Beersheba District Court, details events from November 2023 when one of the accused served as the shift commander responsible for inmate counts.

According to the charges, on November 18, 2023, Abu A'atab inquired about a ceasefire. Before the evening count, the shift commander briefed his team, including guards, "Keter" unit fighters, and a dog handler, stating they would unusually enter the cell during the count to show the prisoners there was no truce. He took responsibility for any consequences and warned female guards present not to enter.

The commander then led the team into the cell. The indictment alleges the guards collectively intended to assault the prisoners, striking them with fists, kicks, and in some cases, batons. The commander himself also struck inmates. After a few minutes, he ordered the guards to stop, and they left the cell without reporting the assault or any unusual incident.

Shortly after the incident, Abu A'atab collapsed and lost consciousness. He was taken to the prison clinic and then to Soroka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The prosecution asserts his death resulted from the beating, causing severe injuries to his heart and respiratory system. The eight other inmates sustained significant injuries.

Additional charges of obstruction of justice are leveled against the shift commander and a sergeant. The sergeant allegedly instructed a guard to lie about the use of batons during the police investigation. The shift commander reportedly asked another guard to coordinate a female guard's testimony with the other defendants' accounts. While the female guard initially provided a false statement, she later admitted to lying and provided her account of the events. All defendants face charges including negligent homicide and aggravated assault.