Israeli police detained a former top military chief legal officer after she resigned amid a criminal investigation into a leaked video allegedly showing soldiers mistreating a Palestinian detainee. Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested on Sunday night, as confirmed by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday. Her resignation had been accepted by the chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) the previous Friday.
The leaked security camera footage reportedly shows soldiers sodomizing a Palestinian detainee. The detainee was surrounded by soldiers holding a dog, blocking the view with riot gear. The victim, who was handcuffed, blindfolded, and with ankles restrained, suffered severe injuries including a ruptured bowel, lung damage, and broken ribs, as per medical information obtained by Israel’s Haaretz newspaper last year.
During a court hearing on Monday, Tomer-Yerushalmi’s detention was extended until Wednesday on suspicion of offenses such as fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice. She is currently being held in a women’s prison in central Israel. Additionally, former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomesh was also arrested, with his detention extended, as reported by Israeli media.
Tomer-Yerushalmi claimed that she resigned because she had approved the video’s leak in August 2024. Following her resignation acceptance, Defence Minister Israel Katz welcomed the decision, stating that anyone spreading false accusations against IDF troops is unfit to wear the army’s uniform.
The investigation into the abuse led to criminal charges against five soldiers and sparked outrage. Protesters stormed two military compounds after investigators sought troops for questioning. A security camera video of the alleged abuse was leaked to Israel’s N12 News a week after the break-ins.
The detainee featured in the video was released and returned to Gaza, as documented by the military prosecutor’s office. Tomer-Yerushalmi defended her actions as an effort to combat propaganda against the military’s legal department during the war.
Reports of abuse within the Sde Teiman detention camp, where detainees faced severe violence, including with attack dogs and sexual assault, have surfaced. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel had called for the prison’s closure, alleging inhumane treatment of detainees.
Israel’s military denies reports of abuse and is investigating numerous cases. Tomer-Yerushalmi emphasized the need to investigate suspected abuse despite calling the detainees “terrorists of the worst kind.” Politicians swiftly reacted to her resignation, with Ben-Gvir calling for further inquiries into legal authorities. Israeli security forces have been employing all means to locate Tomer-Yerushalmi, who was found after a police search near Tel Aviv.
Approximately 1,700 Gaza detainees were released this month as part of a ceasefire, including 20 Israeli hostages, some of whom reported torture and abuse during their captivity.
