Outrage as Ultra-Right Israelis Storm Military Facilities to Defend Detained Soldiers

Ultra-right Israelis storm military facilities in protest of detained soldiers

In a shocking turn of events, ultra-right-wing Israeli nationalists stormed two military facilities on Monday night, protesting the detention and questioning of nine Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reservists suspected of raping and abusing a Palestinian prisoner. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the deep political divisions within Israel.

The soldiers, who were arrested in connection with the alleged abuse of a Palestinian prisoner, were being held for questioning at the Sde Teiman military base and prison near Beersheba. This detention, which is rare during an ongoing conflict, has drawn a furious reaction from far-right Israelis, including some senior government officials.

Videos circulating on social media show guards at the Sde Teiman facility shouting at and pushing military police who had arrived to question the reservists. The protesters appeared to be defending the suspects, who were arrested after the Palestinian prisoner was hospitalized due to the severity of his injuries.

The incident has further inflamed tensions in Israel, which is currently engaged in a war with Hamas in Gaza. The Sde Teiman facility is known to hold Palestinians arrested in Gaza since the conflict began in response to a Hamas terrorist attack.

On Monday evening, a group of Israelis attempted to storm another military facility, with one protester threatening an uprising against the government if the suspects remained in custody. The nine soldiers are scheduled to appear before a military court on Tuesday.

The incident has sparked widespread condemnation, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and army commander Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi calling for calm and condemning the attack on the army base. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that "even in difficult times, the law applies to anyone."

United Nations agencies, human rights organizations, and officials in Hamas-run Gaza have all alleged abuse of Palestinians in Israeli detention facilities. Israel's military maintains that its detention centers are run in accordance with international law.