Israeli authorities have detained former top military legal officer Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi following her resignation amidst a criminal probe into a leaked video allegedly showing soldiers mistreating a Palestinian detainee. The arrest occurred on Sunday night, as confirmed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday. Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation, which was officially accepted by the chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday, came in the wake of the leaked security camera footage depicting the alleged abuse of the Palestinian detainee.
The video shows soldiers apparently engaging in abusive behavior towards the detainee, who was restrained and blindfolded at the time. Medical reports from Israel’s Haaretz newspaper indicated severe injuries suffered by the victim, including a ruptured bowel, lung damage, and broken ribs, leading to hospitalization for surgery. Tomer-Yerushalmi’s detention was extended until Wednesday following a court hearing on Monday, with allegations including fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice. She is currently held in a women’s prison in central Israel.
In a related development, former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomesh was also arrested, with his detention extended, as reported by Israeli media. Tomer-Yerushalmi disclosed her resignation, acknowledging her approval of the video leak back in August 2024. Defence Minister Israel Katz welcomed her resignation, condemning any false allegations against IDF personnel. The abuse scandal has led to criminal charges against five soldiers, triggering public outrage and protests.
The leaked footage originated from the Sde Teiman detention camp, where detainees, including Hamas militants and Palestinians captured during the conflict, faced alleged mistreatment. Reports from human rights organizations have accused Israel of a systematic pattern of abuse and torture against Palestinian detainees. Israel’s military has denied these allegations, stating ongoing investigations into the matter. Tomer-Yerushalmi emphasized the importance of investigating suspected abuse, despite labeling the detainees as “terrorists.”
Amidst calls for further inquiries, Ben-Gvir supported Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation and advocated for additional investigations into legal authorities. He also shared a video depicting Palestinian prisoners in an Israeli jail, linking them to the Oct. 7 attackers and advocating for severe penalties. Recent releases of Gaza detainees as part of a ceasefire agreement have highlighted reports of torture and abuse during captivity, further intensifying the scrutiny on the treatment of detainees.