Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested after admitting her office leaked surveillance footage that appears to show soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman base. She resigned and was briefly reported missing before being remanded in custody pending court proceedings. Five reservists have already been charged over the alleged mistreatment, which the military says caused serious injuries. The case has drawn international condemnation and sharp criticism from Israeli leaders.
Former Israeli Military Prosecutor Arrested After Leaked Footage Allegedly Shows Abuse of Palestinian Detainee
Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested after admitting her office leaked surveillance footage that appears to show soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman base. She resigned and was briefly reported missing before being remanded in custody pending court proceedings. Five reservists have already been charged over the alleged mistreatment, which the military says caused serious injuries. The case has drawn international condemnation and sharp criticism from Israeli leaders.
15:52, 03.11.2025Conflict
Former military prosecutor detained after leaked surveillance footage sparks outrage
Israeli police have arrested Major General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi after she acknowledged that her office provided surveillance footage that appears to show soldiers mistreating a Palestinian detainee. The detention came after a brief period in which Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned and was reported missing for several hours, prompting concern and speculation about her wellbeing.
The footage, first broadcast by Israel's Channel 12 in August 2024, was recorded at the Sde Teiman military base in southern Israel, a facility used to hold Palestinians taken during the Gaza war. Several media outlets published the video, which appears to capture illicit acts occurring partly out of direct view — behind troops holding shields — and provoked international condemnation and protests within Israel.
In February the military filed charges against five reservists connected with mistreatment at Sde Teiman. The indictment alleges they subjected the detainee to severe violence — including stabbing with a sharp object and other acts that the military says caused cracked ribs, a punctured lung and an inner rectal tear. The alleged abuse is said to have occurred on 5 July 2024 during a search of the detainee.
Following the revelation of who supplied the footage, public broadcaster Kan reported that Tomer-Yerushalmi is suspected of a range of offences, including fraud and breach of trust, abuse of office, obstruction of justice and unlawful disclosure of information by a public servant. A Tel Aviv court ordered her to be remanded in custody until noon on Wednesday, according to Israeli media reports.
Former chief military prosecutor Colonel Matan Solomesh was also detained overnight and appeared in court on Monday in connection with the inquiry, Israeli Army Radio reported.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the leak "perhaps the most severe public relations attack" Israel has faced since its founding.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said on Telegram that the prison service would take extra precautions to ensure the safety of the detainee while in custody. Official statements did not specify formal charges filed against Tomer-Yerushalmi at the time of reporting.
What happens next
The investigation is ongoing and additional legal action or clarifications from Israeli authorities may follow. The case has intensified scrutiny of military detention practices and raised questions about internal accountability and the public release of sensitive material.