Military Court Approves: Detention of 5 Soldiers Extended Until Tuesday

The military court, in a ruling this evening (Sunday), granted the military prosecution's request to extend the detention of the five soldiers suspected of abusing a Nukhba terrorist. Their detention has been extended until Tuesday. It is noted that three other soldiers involved in the case were released from detention this morning.

Last week, there was an uproar when Military Police investigators raided the Sde Teiman base and arrested nine soldiers on suspicion of mistreating a senior terrorist who was detained at the base's prison facility.

Soldiers’ Version: "The Terrorist Began Attacking During the Search"

During one of the hearings at the military court, the soldiers’ lawyers revealed their version of the events: "My clients were instructed by the prison commander to conduct a search of several prisoners who had been transferred to the facility due to high-security risks. These prisoners were classified as violent and dangerous."

"During the search, the terrorist began attacking them, tried to bite two soldiers, and attempted to grab the taser gun held by one of the soldiers. As a result, they had to use force to restrain him. The soldiers did not strip the terrorist during the search and used reasonable force according to the situation. Much of what has been reported in the media is false. It is important to remember that this was a senior terrorist, rapist, and murderer."

The military prosecution, however, did not accept the soldiers' account and claims to have evidence that the soldiers mistreated the senior Hamas terrorist. After some of the soldiers suspected of harming the militant were released, activists from the Youth of the Religious Zionist Party visited the home of the soldier from the 100th Battalion who had been arrested and released, to thank him for his reserve service and support him after his detention. The young activists arrived at the soldier’s home with a fruit platter and a note that read: "Some may have missed the point, so we came to recognize and say thank you. Thank you for the hundreds of reserve days you served since the beginning of the war."