In a startling turn of events, far-right lawmakers and protesters breached the perimeter of a controversial Israeli detention facility for Palestinians on Monday. The breach took place after the Israeli military confirmed an ongoing investigation into alleged abuse of a prisoner at the facility, known as Sde Teiman.

Footage shared on social media depicted chaotic scenes at the base located in Israel's Negev desert. Far-right Knesset member, Zvi Sukkot, was captured on video slipping through a fence and gaining access to the facility while crowds gathered outside in protest of the investigation. Additional videos showed a throng of people crowding the base's perimeter as guards attempted to hold them back.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) acknowledged that its Military Police Criminal Investigation Division (MPCID) had launched a formal inquiry into the "suspected substantial abuse of a detainee" at Sde Teiman. This secretive base has faced allegations of housing prisoners from Gaza under extreme conditions. Earlier this year, a CNN investigation revealed accounts of abuse, including blindfolding and handcuffing, by Israeli whistleblowers, Palestinian former detainees, and eyewitnesses.

"The break-in at the Sde Teiman Base is extremely serious and against the law," said Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the IDF's Chief of the General Staff, in a statement on Monday. He emphasized the military's commitment to restoring order at the base, condemning the unlawful actions that jeopardize national security during a time of conflict.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid also condemned the breach, highlighting the dangerous implications of such actions within the government and the state of Israel. He emphasized the need to address this existential threat promptly.

Zvi Sukkot, a member of the ultra-nationalist Religious Zionism party, led by far-right finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, was among those who breached the facility on Monday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for immediate calm at Sde Teiman, expressing his dismay over the breach in a statement. Earlier this month, following international backlash concerning reports of abuse, Netanyahu declared an end to long-term imprisonment at the facility, limiting its use to initial interrogations and temporary detention. Most detainees had already been transferred out of the desert base as per the Israeli government's court statement.

The Israeli military had previously acknowledged the conversion of three different military facilities, including Sde Teiman, Anatot, and Ofer, into detention camps for Palestinian detainees from Gaza after the October 7 attacks orchestrated by Hamas. Lt. Gen. Halevi announced a probe into alleged mistreatment at Sde Teiman, as well as at Anatot and Ofer, highlighting the seriousness of these allegations.

In CNN's investigation into Sde Teiman, multiple Israeli and Palestinian rights groups, alongside local and international media outlets, detailed accounts of torture and mistreatment at the camp. Israeli whistleblowers claimed detainees faced constant blindfolding and extreme physical restraint, with some suffering injuries so severe that amputations were allegedly performed by doctors due to continuous handcuffing. These testimonies aligned with a letter published by Ha'aretz in April, authored by a doctor working at Sde Teiman.

The Israeli military responded to CNN's inquiry stating that they ensure proper conduct towards detainees in custody, and any allegations of misconduct by IDF soldiers are examined and addressed accordingly. While the military did not directly refute claims of detainees being stripped or held in diapers, they mentioned that clothing is returned once the IDF determines no security risk.

The breach at Sde Teiman has ignited concerns regarding the treatment of Palestinian detainees by Israeli authorities and prompted calls for immediate action to address the alleged abuse. The ongoing investigation will shed light on the truth behind the mounting allegations, ensuring accountability for any misconduct committed at the facility.