Protests Erupt at Sde Yemen Camp Following Alleged Abuse of Hamas terrorist who is Detained

Tensions flared as dozens of demonstrators broke into the Sde Yemen camp in southern Israel, where Hamas terrorists from Gaza are detained. This occurred hours after the military police detained eight reservists suspected of severe sexual abuse of a Nohba terrorist held at the base. Protesters chanted in support of the suspects and blocked the camp's exit, with some breaching the gate and clashing with soldiers.

Protesters entered the camp after reports emerged of the military police raid, which led to the detention of eight reservists. The detainees are accused of abusing a Hamas detainee, who was later taken to Soroka Hospital with bruises. Demonstrators attacked news crews and confronted soldiers, blocking the camp's entrance for over an hour before police reinforcements arrived.

Chief of Staff Condemns Incident

Chief of Staff Major General Herzi Halevi condemned the breach, stating, "The hacking incident at the Sde Yemen base is extremely serious and against the law. We are at war, and actions of this kind endanger the security of the country." Halevi expressed full support for the military prosecutor's office and the military police's duty to investigate all incidents.

Political Reactions 

Several Knesset members and government officials expressed support for the detained reservists. MK Zvi Sukkot was seen entering the base without permission, calling on protesters to avoid confronting soldiers. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Galant have not yet commented on the incident.

Ongoing Investigations

The eight reservists are being interrogated at the Neve Tzedek base. The investigation will determine the extent of their involvement and whether any arrests will be made. Reports from foreign human rights organizations have prompted the IDF to investigate allegations of continued abuse of Hamas detainees. Military justice officials estimate that the investigation could implicate hundreds of suspects, including senior officers in the Military Police Corps and the Southern Command.

International and Domestic Reactions

The incident has drawn condemnation from various quarters. The UK has reportedly pressured Israel over accountability, halting the supply of weapon parts to the IDF. Yuli Edelstein, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and Security Committee, announced a discussion on the military prosecutor's conduct. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticized the military police's actions, calling them shameful and urging full support for the soldiers.

Opposition and Public Outcry

Opposition leader Yair Lapid denounced the incursion, calling it a "despicable and dangerous crime" that undermines the IDF and Israeli society. Lapid emphasized the existential danger posed by such actions and called for those responsible to be removed from power.

The incident at the Sde Yemen camp highlights deep divisions within Israeli society and the military over the treatment of detainees and the rule of law during times of conflict. The situation remains tense as investigations continue and political leaders navigate the fallout.

moved to a military base in Beit Lid

After the riotous demonstrators who broke into the Sde Yemen base in the south of the country were evacuated - in protest of the arrest of the soldiers suspected of abusing a terrorist in Nohva, they moved to demonstrate at the military base in Beit Lid, where the arrested fighters were transferred. Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari arrived at the scene, and the latter is talking to the protestors at the scene.
 They broke into a building next to the military court on the spot, and dozens of people stormed the gate of the legal building, banging on it with sticks and shouting "Free, free!". In Korazim prison, all the available forces are called to reach the gate area, and blue police also arrived to reinforce.

violent confrontations began
During the riot, violent confrontations began between soldiers and police and the protesters on the spot. The military police sprayed tear gas at some of the protesters through the gate, and several of them suffered burns in their eyes. After the protesters managed to break through the entrance gate to the legal compound, the base's security personnel secured the gate with leg cuffs at several points.
The Attorney General's Office and the Military Prosecutor's Office informed lawyers Adi Kider and Nati Rom from the "Honno" organization, which represents some of the suspects, that tonight it will be decided whether the soldiers will be released or remain in custody tonight. , release the soldiers this evening, the investigation can continue when they are released."
Earlier, the Israel Police blocked access to vehicle traffic in the area. Dozens of protesters also began to flow towards the neighboring "Camp 21" base. The protestors chanted "Run to the house" and "Hatzarit to prison". Alongside this, they also shouted against the Minister of National Security "Ben Gabir to the house".
A fighter serving in the detention camp in Yemen said that he would not let the detention of his friends happen. "We keep human scum, the hardest core of the victims under substandard conditions for us, while they receive all kinds of benefits from all kinds of humanitarian organizations," he claimed. "In the 3 months I've been there my soul is scarred, I'm not the same person and now you're arresting our friends to please the world, we won't let that happen."
A fighter in "Force 100", a friend of the detainees told about the sequence of events and sharply criticized the military police. "This morning, MDF personnel broke into the base in large forces, which we were sure they came to take out some terrorist and not someone from the unit," he said. "It was really shameful and unnecessary - everyone who needed to be questioned could have been summoned in a more professional and dignified manner."
"Do you even know who the terrorist who complained is?" said the fighter. "This is an arch-terrorist who had a significant part in the murderous attack on October 7, and should not have lived in this world at all if he had committed his crimes in another country. We will not move from here until all the fighters are released. We want to investigate, please. There is a way. Someone here got confused - they We are not terrorists."

We are not terrorists

Sen. Ofir Beitan, the police officer of the center of Sharon gave a situation report and said that about 70 young men were standing at the main entrance gate of the "Neve Tzedek" legal complex in Beit Lid, when they were confronted by dozens of policemen, including soldiers of the Sharon Police Station and soldiers of the Mag b that they are prevented from entering the base. The police have not yet announced an illegal demonstration or contained the incident.