Paratrooper Soldier's Detention Extended Amid Abuse Allegations

The detention of a Paratrooper Brigade soldier has been extended as he faces allegations of severe abuse against a Palestinian detainee who was not involved in any terrorist activity. The soldier was arrested two weeks ago following reports from his fellow soldiers to their commanders. Military Police (MP) suspect the soldier burned the detainee with cigarettes and assaulted him, though the soldier denies the accusations.

The incident reportedly occurred on October 22, when a Paratrooper Brigade force apprehended the Palestinian at the Gilboa crossing north of Jenin after finding a knife in his car. The detainee was then taken to the Jalameh outpost, handcuffed, and blindfolded while awaiting questioning by the Shin Bet. During this waiting period, the suspect allegedly kicked the bound and blindfolded detainee, hit him with his personal weapon, and burned him with lit cigarettes. Further suspicions include the soldier urinating on the detainee, defecating in the post, and smearing the feces on the detainee's body and face while urging him to consume it.

Fellow soldiers reportedly discovered the scene due to a strong odor, were shocked by what they witnessed, and reported the incident to their commanders. An investigation was launched, leading to the arrest of three soldiers. One was released immediately, and another a week later, as investigators gathered sufficient evidence against the third soldier, the current suspect. While the suspect admitted to hitting the detainee, he denied the other allegations. However, his account is inconsistent with other information gathered by investigators and from other soldiers.

IDF sources stated that the investigation's findings so far establish a strong suspicion of the soldier's abuse of the detainee in various ways. The soldier has been detained for two weeks, and an indictment is expected soon. The detainee was released immediately after the incident, as no suspicion was found against him. He later testified to the MP about the alleged abuse. The military court extended the soldier's detention until November 12, 2026, with the defense's consent, pending a pre-indictment hearing. The soldier's identity is banned from publication. The soldier's defense attorney, Yossi Bokar, stated that they prefer not to comment on the specifics of the case as it is still under investigation.