Prison Guards Accused of Fatal Assault on Palestinian Prisoner

Twelve prison guards at Ketziot Prison have been charged with manslaughter following the death of security prisoner Thaer Abu Assab. The guards allegedly beat Abu Assab and eight other inmates during an operation to enter their cell.

Security camera footage, revealed by police affairs analyst Moshe Steinmetz, reportedly shows 18 prison unit fighters preparing for a violent entry into the security prisoners' cell. The patrol commander is seen instructing the guards and stating he would take personal responsibility for the operation. He is also accused of ordering the guards to lie after an investigation was launched.

According to the indictment, the accused guards collaborated to assault the prisoners with punches, kicks, and batons. The patrol commander allegedly oversaw the assault and participated in beating at least one prisoner. After several minutes, he ordered the guards to stop and leave the cell without reporting any assault or unusual incident.

Shortly after the beating, Abu Assab collapsed and lost consciousness. He was transferred to the prison clinic and then to Soroka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The 12 guards are accused of causing death by negligence, having beaten the prisoner hours before his death.