Sde Teiman terrorist’s injury likely self-inflicted, report suggests

A medical report presented on Thursday indicates that the injury sustained by a Palestinian terrorist detained at the Sde Teiman detention facility was likely self-inflicted, rather than caused by external forces.

The report, authored by Prof. Alon Pikarsky, head of the Department of General Surgery at Hadassah Ein Kerem Medical Center in Jerusalem, was submitted to the military court in Beit Lid. This court is currently reviewing the appeal of five Israeli soldiers who face accusations of aggravated assault and sexual offenses related to the detainee's injury.

Prof. Pikarsky’s opinion suggests that there is no evidence to support claims of external abuse, thereby supporting the soldiers' appeal. The detainee was hospitalized last month with a rectal tear, initially sparking suspicions of abuse by Sde Teiman guards. This led to the arrest of reserve soldiers, whose arrest was filmed and widely shared, igniting significant public and international outcry.

The controversy has intensified the debate over the treatment of Palestinian detainees, especially those involved in significant attacks, and has heightened concerns about human rights within Israeli detention facilities.

* Ynet contributed to this article.