12 Prison Guards Charged in Death of Security Prisoner

Israel's State Prosecution has filed an indictment against 12 Israel Prison Service (IPS) officers, accusing them of the negligent homicide of security prisoner Thaer Abu A'asab and assaulting eight other inmates at Ketziot Prison. The indictment alleges the attack occurred during an evening headcount in November 2023.

According to the charges, Walid Khatib, the shift commander at the time, was responsible for the headcount in the section where Abu A'asab and eight other security prisoners were held. The other defendants served as guards, members of the "Keter" unit, and a dog handler. The indictment states that on November 18, 2023, Abu A'asab inquired about a ceasefire, which was relayed to Khatib. Before the evening headcount, Khatib briefed his team, instructing them to enter the cell unusually during the count to show the prisoners there was no ceasefire. He reportedly told the guards he would take responsibility for any consequences and warned female guards present not to enter the cell.

At approximately 7:08 PM, the team entered the cell. The indictment claims the defendants collectively assaulted the prisoners with punches, kicks, and batons, with Khatib himself participating in the beatings. After a few minutes, Khatib ordered the force to stop, and they exited the cell without reporting the incident. Shortly thereafter, Abu A'asab collapsed, lost consciousness, and was found without a pulse or breathing. He was evacuated to Soroka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 10:22 PM. The prosecution contends his death resulted from the blows, causing severe damage to his heart and respiratory system. The other eight prisoners sustained significant injuries.

In a separate charge, Khatib and the shift sergeant are accused of obstruction of justice. The sergeant allegedly instructed a guard to lie during questioning about the use of batons. Khatib, after being questioned by police, reportedly asked another guard to relay a message to an un-questioned female guard to coordinate her testimony with the defendants' accounts. Initially providing false testimony, the female guard later admitted to lying and recounted the events accurately.

All 12 defendants face charges including negligent homicide, aggravated severe assault, and multiple counts of severe assault under aggravating circumstances. The shift commander and shift sergeant also face charges of obstruction of justice.