In a shocking display of support for soldiers accused of severely mistreating a Palestinian prisoner, Israeli far-right protesters broke into an army base, marking a disturbing escalation in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Sde Teiman compound.

The Sde Teiman army base, located near Beersheba in southern Israel, has been at the center of reports detailing severe abuses against Gaza detainees for the past several months. Prompted by these allegations, Israeli military police entered the base to detain the implicated reservists, who are now the subject of an official investigation.

The arrival of large crowds outside the Sde Teiman compound further intensified as dozens of protesters, including far-right MPs from Israel's governing coalition, forcefully broke through the base's gate and attempted to scale the fence. Chanting slogans such as "we will not abandon our friends, certainly not for terrorists," the protesters demonstrated their unwavering support for the accused soldiers.

Reports indicate that some soldiers at the base resorted to using pepper spray against the military police personnel who were deployed to detain the reservists. This resulted in further chaos and disruption as the situation escalated.

In a surprising turn of events, some protesters managed to enter the Beit Lid military base in central Israel, where the accused reservists had been taken for questioning. While the intrusion was met with condemnation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who called for an immediate calming of passions, far-right politicians, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, criticized the arrest of the reservists and labeled their detention as "shameful."

According to local media reports, at least nine Israeli soldiers stationed at the Sde Teiman base are accused of abusing a Palestinian detainee, who is said to be a suspected Hamas fighter captured in Gaza. Israeli media reports allege that the detainee suffered serious sexual abuse and injuries to the anus, rendering him unable to walk, resulting in his hospitalization.

The Israeli military has ordered an inquiry into the suspected substantial abuse of the detainee. The incident follows a wave of detentions of Palestinians by Israeli authorities since the 7th of October Hamas attack. Many Gazans have been rounded up and held without legal representation.

Claims of abuse and mistreatment at the Sde Teiman compound have been raised by medical workers and detainees, who have alleged being blindfolded, shackled to their beds, and forced to wear nappies instead of having access to proper sanitary facilities. Reports have also surfaced regarding allegations of leg amputations inflicted on prisoners due to injuries sustained from restraints. However, these claims have not been independently verified.

While the Israeli Defense Forces deny the existence of systematic abuse, detainees continue to recount stories of physical assaults and mistreatment. Amnesty International has called on Israel to end the indefinite detention of Gaza Palestinians and put an end to what it calls "rampant torture" in its prisons.

The investigation into the soldiers' conduct is ongoing, and it is imperative that the law be upheld, even in times of anger and unrest, as emphasized by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. The incident and the subsequent protests cast a shadow over the already strained relationship between Israeli authorities and Palestinians, further heightening tensions in the region.