Israeli police detained a former top legal officer of the military after she resigned amidst a criminal investigation into a leaked video allegedly showing soldiers mistreating a Palestinian detainee. Maj.-Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi was arrested on Sunday night, as confirmed by Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir on Tuesday. Her resignation, which was accepted by the chief of staff of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday, preceded her arrest.
The leaked security camera footage reportedly captures the abuse of a Palestinian detainee, showing soldiers surrounding the detainee with a dog and obstructing visibility with riot gear. The detainee, who was handcuffed, blindfolded, and restrained at the ankles, suffered severe injuries including a ruptured bowel, lung damage, and broken ribs, as per medical records from Israel’s Haaretz newspaper.
Tomer-Yerushalmi’s detention was extended until Wednesday following a court hearing on Monday, where she faced allegations of fraud, breach of trust, and obstruction of justice. The ongoing investigation has led to her confinement in a women’s prison in central Israel.
After her family voiced safety concerns and her abandoned car was found near Tel Aviv’s beach, a search was launched leading to her prompt discovery. Additionally, former chief military prosecutor Col. Matan Solomesh was also arrested, with his detention similarly extended.
Tomer-Yerushalmi attributed her resignation to approving the video leak in August 2024. Defence Minister Israel Katz commended her decision, emphasizing that individuals tarnishing the reputation of IDF personnel are unsuitable to wear the army’s uniform.
The video leakage prompted criminal charges against five soldiers and sparked widespread outrage. Following break-ins at military bases, a security camera footage displaying the alleged abuse emerged, leading to the detainee’s release back to Gaza. Tomer-Yerushalmi defended her actions as an effort to counter propaganda against the military’s legal department during the conflict.
The leaked footage originated from the Sde Teiman detention camp, where detainees, including Hamas militants and Palestinians held without charge, allegedly face severe violence and mistreatment. Reports from human rights groups have accused Israel of systemic prisoner abuse, a claim refuted by the IDF.
Tomer-Yerushalmi’s resignation, referring to the detainees as “terrorists,” highlighted the obligation to investigate abuse allegations. Politicians swiftly reacted to her resignation, with calls for further inquiries into legal authorities. Ben-Gvir welcomed the resignation and advocated for investigations into additional legal entities.
Amidst the Gaza ceasefire, around 1,700 Gaza detainees were released in exchange for Israeli hostages, some of whom reported torture and abuse during captivity.