Ex-general who leaked Sde Teiman video "goes missing": Hebrew media

Police have launched a search for former Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, who has been out of contact since morning, Hebrew media reports.

Authorities have focused their search on Hatzuk Beach in Tel Aviv, according to first responders.

Tomer-Yerushalmi resigned on Friday after admitting she leaked a video purportedly showing 'Israeli' soldiers severely abusing a Palestinian security detainee at the Sde Teiman military detention facility in 2024.

She had been scheduled to be questioned under caution as part of a criminal investigation into the leak.

Soldiers’ defense: fair trial "compromised"

Defense attorneys for the five reservists indicted in the Sde Teiman abuse case claim that the leaked video has prevented their clients from receiving a fair trial. The original incident involved severe physical abuse of a Palestinian detainee, leaving him with broken ribs, a punctured lung, and internal rectal injuries. The full findings of the internal investigation into the case remain unpublished more than a year later.

The attorneys have described the ongoing military proceedings as a “drumhead court martial,” suggesting the process was driven by public outrage rather than impartial justice. The leaked footage reportedly shows a blindfolded, handcuffed detainee being raped for approximately 15 minutes by members of Force 100, an elite unit responsible for guarding Palestinian political prisoners.

Investigation targets whistleblowers, not alleged perpetrators

Following the leak, the Israeli army launched a criminal investigation focusing on the whistleblowers who shared the footage with Channel 12, rather than the soldiers allegedly responsible for the assault. Authorities are examining whether officials within the Military Advocate General’s (MAG) office facilitated the leak.

The scandal has intensified scrutiny of the military justice system, with Chief Military Prosecutor Maj. Gen. Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi taking leave amid mounting pressure. Police are also investigating whether the MAG’s office misled the High Court of Justice regarding the handling of the leak. Right-wing media outlets have focused on Tomer-Yerushalmi’s role, while some lawmakers hope the attention shifts away from the original allegations of abuse by the reservists.

Context of the Sde Teiman abuse case

The original 2024 incident sparked widespread protests near military bases, with some supporters of the accused soldiers rallying in demonstrations critics have dubbed Israel’s “right-to-rape” protests.

Investigative reporting by Kan 11’s Zman Emet aired footage showing soldiers from Force 100 assaulting the detainee, reportedly taking turns during the attack. Following an internal military police investigation, several soldiers were detained, and in February 2025, formal charges were filed against five reservists for severe physical abuse.

According to Channel 12, the indictment details that the detainee was stabbed near the anus with a sharp object and beaten repeatedly, resulting in multiple broken ribs, a punctured lung, and internal rectal injuries. During questioning, one of the accused claimed the detainee had “resisted the assault,” allegedly attempting to bite a soldier and grab a taser.

Ongoing controversy

The case has reignited debate over accountability within the 'Israeli' military justice system. While the original abuse allegations remain unresolved, the focus on whistleblowers and leaked footage has intensified public scrutiny, highlighting concerns about systemic abuse, transparency, and the protection of human rights.