ARAB AND WORLD
Tue 06 Feb 2024 3:46 pm - Jerusalem Time
US State Department says film of Israeli soldier standing over handcuffed Palestinian is “disturbing”
The Israeli Defense Forces said the footage was filmed and released “in a manner inconsistent with the IDF’s protocols and values.”
US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel said footage showing an Israeli soldier standing over a wounded and stripped Palestinian in Gaza is “deeply disturbing.”
The short clip was uploaded to Instagram by Yossi Gamzu, who appears to be the soldier in the clip. Gamzu later deleted the post and his Instagram account after pro-Palestinian accounts accused him of torturing the suspect.
Asked about the footage at a press conference, Patel said he had never seen it before.
“I have no knowledge or information regarding the circumstances surrounding this incident,” Patel explained.
He added, "I will leave talking about those specific cases to the IDF, but we made it clear to them that respect for basic human rights, the necessity of respecting humanitarian law, and holding those who violate it accountable."
The Israeli army said in response that it had recently terminated the soldier’s reserve service, and that the footage had been filmed and published “in a manner inconsistent with the protocols and values of the Israeli army.”
The army said that the clip was filmed during the investigation, and that the suspect was not injured.
He added, “After a short interrogation, the detainee was released.”
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US State Department says film of Israeli soldier standing over handcuffed Palestinian is “disturbing”