Israeli Reservists Cleared After Evidence Failures And Leaks Expose Deep Problems Inside Military Prosecution
Defense Minister Israel Katz met Monday in his office with the fighters of “Force 100” after the indictment filed against them in the Sde Teiman affair was officially canceled. During the meeting, Katz expressed strong support for the reservists and instructed the Israel Defense Forces to work toward returning the fighters to active reserve duty.
The decision to drop the charges came after Military Advocate General Maj. Gen. Itai Ofir ordered the cancellation of the indictment against five reservists who had been accused of assaulting a security detainee at the Sde Teiman base. The case, which began in July 2024, had sparked major public controversy across Israel and led to protests following the arrests and investigation of the soldiers.
A detailed review of the legal process revealed serious irregularities surrounding the case. According to the Military Advocate General’s findings, there were significant failures in the handling of the investigation, including deliberate leaks of sensitive materials and suspicions directed at the previous leadership of the military prosecution. Authorities also opened a criminal investigation into the former Military Advocate General and her deputy over allegations of leaking investigative documents, obstructing oversight processes, and providing misleading information to the Supreme Court of Israel and the Knesset.
Officials stated that these actions seriously undermined the defendants’ right to a fair trial. The leaked security camera footage broadcast by Channel 12 News was also found to be inconclusive. According to the official document, the footage does not clearly prove violence beyond what could be considered reasonable force during a security search, and parts of the events are obscured in the video.
The case was further complicated when the security detainee at the center of the investigation was released to Gaza in October 2025 as part of a hostage-release agreement. The Israel Defense Forces noted that the detainee’s testimony had been a central element of the prosecution’s case, and his release significantly weakened the possibility of presenting key evidence in court.
After reviewing all factors, including evidentiary weaknesses, investigative developments, and concerns about protecting the defendants’ legal rights, the Military Advocate General decided to cancel the indictment against the reservists.
