Israeli military prosecutors have withdrawn charges against five soldiers accused of raping and sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center. The decision was announced on Thursday, according to a statement from the Israeli army cited by Al Jazeera. The army said the charges were dropped due to significant developments that occurred after the indictment was filed.

The alleged assault took place in July 2025 at the Sde Teiman facility, located in Israel’s Negev desert. Reports said the detainee suffered severe injuries, including rectal tearing. Israeli media, including the state broadcaster Kan, previously reported that the victim was later sent to Gaza on October 13, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Sde Teiman has gained notoriety for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinian detainees, including beatings, prolonged restraints, and denial of medical care. Both Palestinian and Israeli media, as well as human rights groups, have compared the facility to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay.