Tensions reached a boiling point at the Sde Teiman base on Monday as the Israeli Military Police Criminal Investigation Division (MPCID) conducted a surprise raid, leading to a confrontation with reserve soldiers. The operation, prompted by serious allegations of abuse against a detained Hamas Nukhba operative, has now drawn sharp criticism from high-ranking political figures.
Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein announced an urgent hearing scheduled for tomorrow to address the arrests. In a strongly worded statement, Edelstein declared, "I will not lend a hand to scenes like the one seen today at the base in Sde Teiman. A situation in which masked military policemen raid an IDF base is not acceptable to me and I will not allow it to happen again. Our soldiers are not criminals and this contemptible pursuit of our soldiers is unacceptable to me."
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of disbelief and anger as MPCID investigators arrived at the base. One reservist, his voice charged with emotion, was heard saying, "We're here fighting terrorists, and now they're treating us like we're the criminals." Video footage (below) captured the heated exchanges, with soldiers pleading for public support.
The IDF Spokesperson's office confirmed the gravity of the situation, stating that an investigation has been opened under orders from the Military Advocate General's Office. However, this official response has done little to quell the growing controversy.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir added fuel to the debate, describing the raid as "nothing short of embarrassing." He called on military leadership to "support the fighters," suggesting that patience with the current approach to dealing with detained terrorists has run its course.
The incident has exposed deep rifts in Israeli society over the conduct of military operations. While human rights organizations insist on the necessity of investigating abuse allegations, groups like the Mothers of Fighters have expressed feeling betrayed by what they see as an attack on those risking their lives for national security.
As the nation grapples with this unfolding drama, the scheduled hearing promises to be a flashpoint for broader discussions about military ethics, the treatment of detainees, and the psychological toll of prolonged conflict on soldiers. With tensions running high and political heavyweights weighing in, the coming days are likely to see intense debate over the balance between maintaining ethical standards and supporting troops in a high-stress combat environment.
* Kann 11 News, The Times of Israel, Walla and Ynet contributed to this article.