Disturbances broke out at the Israel Defense Forces' Sde Teiman detention facility on Monday after Military Police officers arrested IDF reservists as part of a probe into an incident of alleged abuse of a prisoner.
Physical confrontations erupted when Military Police officers raided Sde Teiman, located in the Negev, by order of Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi.
"Following a suspicion of serious abuse of a detainee who was held in the prison facility, an investigation by the Military Police was opened by order of the Military Advocate General's Office," the IDF said.
One terrorist was evacuated by the Military Police to Beersheva's Soroka Medical Center according to Israel Hayom.
A confrontation broke out between the police and soldiers guarding prisoners at the base, who refused to leave and tear-gassed officers trying to detain them.
One soldier reportedly said: “We will unite against the IDF arresting our fellow soldiers".
The "Generation Victory" reservist movement subsequently announced that hundreds of soldiers were on their way to Sde Teiman and would block the base's entrance in an effort to "put an end to this disgrace."
Herzi Halevi, the IDF’s Chief of Staff said: “Breaking into a military base and disturbing the order is serious behavior that is not acceptable in any way.
"We are at war, and actions of this kind endanger the security of the country. I strongly condemn the incident and we are working to restore order at the base.”
Halevi also reiterated that the military police had his full support and said that their investigation “preserves the values of the IDF.”
Defence minister Yoav Gallant said: “The IDF will continue and act in accordance with the law. We must allow the authorized parties to carry out the necessary investigations while maintaining the dignity of our soldiers,"
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who heads the Otzma Yehudit Party, also said he was coming to the southern base. "Military prosecutor, hands off the reservists!" Ben-Gvir tweeted.
Earlier this year, an investigation by CNN alleged widespread abuse at the Sde Teiman facility, and in a statement the IDF said: “The IDF ensures proper conduct towards the detainees in custody. Any allegation of misconduct by IDF soldiers is examined and dealt with accordingly. In appropriate cases, MPCID (Military Police Criminal Investigation’s Division) investigations are opened when there is suspicion of misconduct justifying such action.”
