Scoop: U.S. probing alleged human rights violations by Israeli unit at prison camp
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Israeli police stand guard outside a military court while far-right protesters demonstrate in support of members of "Force 100" who were charged with sexual assault. Photo: Amir Levy/Getty Images
The State Department is reviewing an Israel Defense Forces unit in charge of guarding detainees from Gaza for alleged human rights violations which could have implications for U.S. assistance, two Israeli officials and two U.S. officials tell Axios.
Why it matters: Several members of the unit, called "Force 100," are standing trial in Israel for allegedly sexual assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention camp, dubbed "the Israeli Guantanamo" by human rights organizations.
- Several reports in the Israeli and international press have focused on alleged human rights violations at Sde Teiman, which has been used as a detention facility for Hamas militants accused of involvement in the Oct. 7 attacks and to question Palestinians arrested in Gaza.
- Haaretz reported that more than 30 detainees have died at the facility since Oct. 7.
- The IDF has begun to shut down the detention center in recent weeks after facing significant international criticism. Israeli human rights organizations also appealed to the country's Supreme Court about alleged violations at the base.
Zoom in: A 1997 law authored by then-Sen. Patrick Leahy prohibits U.S. foreign aid and Defense Department training programs from going to foreign security, military and police units credibly alleged to have committed human rights violations.
- If the State Department review determines the unit committed human rights violation, it could be blacklisted under the "Leahy Law" and blocked from receiving any U.S. military assistance or training.
- A U.S. official said the U.S. has a memorandum of understanding with Israel that requires it to coordinate with the Israelis about such a review. The official stressed the State Department hasn't reached any decisions or conclusive findings yet about the unit.
Behind the scenes: Two senior Israeli officials tell Axios that last week the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem contacted the Israeli Foreign Ministry and delivered a list of questions regarding several incidents of alleged human right violations by members of "Force 100."
- The U.S. embassy made clear the questions are part of a review under the Leahy Law, the officials said.
- A second U.S. official tells Axios another set of questions was sent to the Israelis about the unit several months ago.
- "It is part of a consultation process we started with the Israelis about this unit as part of our Leahey Law agreement," the U.S. official said.
- The U.S. embassy in Jerusalem did not respond to questions on the issue.
The big picture: Since the beginning of the war in Gaza, the State Department has been scrutinizing the IDF military operations in Gaza and in Lebanon, especially when it comes to incidents with mass civilians casualties.
- Secretary of State Tony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin raised concerns recently in a letter to their Israeli counterparts about the conditions of Palestinian detainees and asked that Israel allow the Red Cross access to its detention facilities.
- Blinken will arrive in Israel on Tuesday to discuss the U.S. concerns articulated in the letter.
Flashback: In August, Blinken decided to end an investigation into the IDF's "Netzah Yehuda" battalion over human rights violations in the occupied West Bank without imposing sanctions.
- Blinken determined last April that the battalion had committed gross human rights violations, but found that the IDF had taken action to address the U.S. concerns.
