Top Israeli Army General Resigns Following Inquiry Into Leaked Palestinian Detainee Abuse Video

Israel's top military legal officer, Major-General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, resigned on Friday following a criminal investigation into the leak of a controversial video that appeared to show Israeli soldiers abusing a Palestinian detainee captured during the Gaza war.

Tomer-Yerushalmi, who served as the Israeli military's Advocate General, admitted that she had authorized the video's release in August 2024. Her resignation comes amid growing scrutiny over how the footage surfaced and the ensuing backlash within political and military circles.

Leak Sparks Outrage and Political Backlash

The video, aired by Israel's N12 News, showed soldiers surrounding a detainee while blocking visibility with riot shields and a military dog. The footage originated from the Sde Teiman detention camp, where both Hamas militants from the October 7, 2023 attack and other Palestinian detainees have been held.

The investigation triggered criminal charges against five soldiers and fueled protests from right-wing activists who accused the army's legal division of targeting troops. Demonstrators even stormed two military bases after investigators began questioning soldiers involved in the case.

Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on Wednesday that a formal criminal inquiry into the leak was underway and that Tomer-Yerushalmi had been placed on forced leave.

Officer Defends Her Decision

Tomer-Yerushalmi defended her actions, insisting that her approval of the video's release was an effort to counter misinformation targeting the military's legal department, which she said had faced "smears throughout the war."

In her resignation letter, she acknowledged the detainees at Sde Teiman as "terrorists of the worst kind," but emphasized that even they were entitled to basic human rights.

"To my regret, this basic understanding - that there are acts to which even the most vile of detainees must not be subjected - is no longer convincing to all," she wrote.

She maintained that upholding accountability for misconduct was crucial to preserving the military's moral integrity, even amid wartime conditions.

Political Leaders React Strongly

The resignation sparked immediate political reactions. Defence Minister Katz stated that anyone who spreads "blood libels against Israeli soldiers was unworthy of donning IDF uniform." Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir applauded Tomer-Yerushalmi's departure and demanded investigations into other legal officials.

Ben-Gvir also posted a video of himself standing over Palestinian prisoners lying bound on the floor, claiming they were October 7 attackers and should face the death penalty.

Meanwhile, human rights groups have continued to raise concerns about the treatment of Palestinian detainees. Israel's military has said it is investigating dozens of alleged abuse cases but denies any systemic mistreatment.

Gaza Detainees Freed Amid Ceasefire Deal

Recently, around 1,700 Gaza detainees were released in a prisoner exchange under the current ceasefire, in return for 20 Israeli hostages. Some of the freed hostages alleged they were beaten in captivity in retaliation for Ben-Gvir's public remarks about worsening prison conditions for Palestinians.

Responding to the accusations, Ben-Gvir dismissed them as "Hamas propaganda," as tensions over detainee treatment and accountability continue to dominate Israel's wartime political discourse.