12 Israeli prison officers charged in death of Palestinian inmate, assaulting 8 others

Israeli prosecutors have formally charged 12 prison officers over the death of Palestinian inmate Thaer Abu Asab and the alleged assaults on eight others at Ketziot Prison in southern Israel, according to attorney Tal Cohen Adir of the Southern District Prosecutor’s Office. The indictment, filed with the Be'er Sheva District Court, alleges reckless homicide, aggravated serious bodily harm, and multiple counts of aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm against the defendants.

One defendant served as the shift commander during the incident in November 2023, responsible for conducting prisoner counts. Prosecutors claim that on November 18, 2023, Abu Asab inquired about a possible ceasefire ("hudna") with the shift sergeant, which the commander relayed to the shift leader. Before the evening count, the commander instructed the officers to enter Abu Asab's cell during the count, an unusual procedure intended to demonstrate there was no ceasefire.

The commander allegedly took responsibility for any outcome and warned female officers not to enter the cell. After beginning the count, he reportedly ordered the defendants to enter the cell and allegedly directed the assault, striking some prisoners with punches, kicks, and batons. The shift commander personally struck one or more inmates.

Following the assault, the officers left the cell without reporting it. Abu Asab collapsed and was pronounced dead at Soroka Medical Center, with prosecutors stating his injuries caused severe damage to his heart and respiratory system. The eight other inmates suffered significant injuries. A separate charge accuses the shift commander and shift sergeant of obstructing the investigation, alleging they instructed a guard to lie during questioning about the use of batons and had another guard coordinate false statements from female officers.