In a startling admission, a senior IDF official conceded that sending masked military police to detain reserve soldiers at Sde Teiman base was "a mistake." This acknowledgment came during a heated session of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, convened in response to yesterday's (Monday's) highly controversial raid.
The operation, which saw nine reservists arrested on suspicion of assaulting a Hamas militant, has ignited a firestorm of criticism and debate in Israel.
Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein expressed dismay at the absence of top military brass, including the Chief Military Advocate General, from the meeting. "We will hold another session where she will be required to appear and provide appropriate answers regarding the investigation policy," Edelstein stated firmly.
Coalition members launched blistering attacks on IDF representatives present. Limor Son Har-Melech of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party accused the military of "presenting our soldiers as rapists and violent without considering the wider implications," adding concerns about potential repercussions for Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The IDF representatives defended some aspects of the operation, insisting that face coverings for investigators serve a legitimate purpose. However, they labeled civilian break-ins at military bases in protest of the arrests as "a terrible line that was crossed."
* Ynet contributed to this article.