Israeli military police, Wednesday night, arrested an Israeli soldier who was accused of assaulting and breaking the nose of a Palestinian prisoner that had been handcuffed and blindfolded at the time, Israeli media reported.According to the Hebrew language Israeli news site Walla, an Israeli soldier from the Shimshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade was arrested for allegedly attacking and breaking the nose of a Palestinian prisoner who was handcuffed and blindfolded.
The prisoner was taken to Hadassah Hospital for treatment, according to Ma’an.
Israeli news site Haaretz additionally reported that the Palestinian victim was one of 18 people detained overnight Tuesday and is from the el-Arrub refugee camp in the northern Hebron district.
Walla news site added that the leader of the Kfir brigade said the soldier in question would be suspended until a military police investigation was completed.
Meanwhile, the leader of the Shimshon Battalion visited Hadassah Hospital to check up on the health condition of the Palestinian prisoner.
After he received treatment, the Palestinian prisoner was transferred to an Israel intelligence site for questioning.
Haaretz quoted the Israeli army as saying: ‘The incident is serious and not in keeping with the IDF’s values.’
‘A military police investigation has been opened and its results will be forwarded to the military prosecutor.’
Palestinian prisoners frequently report violent Israeli practices inside prison facilities.
According to human rights group Addameer, the forms of ill treatment used against Palestinian prisoners include ‘beatings, tying prisoners in ‘stress positions’, interrogation sessions that last up to 12 consecutive hours, depriving prisoners of sleep and other sensory deprivation, isolation and solitary confinement, and threats against the lives of their relatives.’
Addameer adds: ‘In past instances, detainees have died while in custody as a result of torture,’ noting that such practices are in contravention of international law.
The Palestinian Authority Prisoners’ Affairs Committee reported in January that Palestinian children in Israeli jails are also often subjected to torture and physical abuse.
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