IDF soldier accused of beating Palestinian detainees strikes plea deal

Military prosecutors reach a plea deal with one of the soldiers accused of beating two Palestinian prisoners, under which the serviceman would plead guilty to aggravated abuse and serve six-and-a-half months in prison while avoiding a more serious charge of aggravated assault, the army says.

The soldier and four others from the religious Netzah Yehuda Battalion of the Kfir Brigade were arrested and charged earlier this year and charged with abusing two Palestinian suspects who were believed to have assisted a terrorist who killed two of their comrades the month before.

According to the indictment, the soldiers viciously beat the two prisoners — a father and son, who have since been charged with abetting the terrorist — and filmed their actions with a smartphone. One of the prisoners sustained such serious injuries that he was hospitalized and could not be interrogated by Israeli security forces for several days.

As part of the plea deal, the serviceman would also be demoted in rank to private and be placed on probation.

The military says it is working to convince the other four soldiers to also accept plea deals instead of facing a full criminal trial.

— Judah Ari Gross