An IDF soldier deployed in the Gaza Strip has provided a detailed account of the incident in which a Palestinian suspect was bound to a bed, a photo of which went viral. The soldier says the suspect crossed the 'yellow line' and was not shot, was detained, and repeatedly attempted to injure himself, prompting the binding. The photo was taken to document medical treatment, he said, and was leaked without the soldier's knowledge.
The account, attributed to a soldier on the ground, provides the first detailed explanation of the incident that sparked controversy after a photo of a bound and blindfolded Palestinian suspect in Gaza circulated online last week. The Zioneer previously reported that the IDF located the soldiers involved and opened an investigation.
According to the soldier, the suspect crossed the 'yellow line' — a designated buffer zone — and was identified by the Navy. Rather than being shot, as is standard procedure for 90% of such cases, he was detained. The suspect then began banging his head on the floor and was taken to the Shin Bet for questioning. While in a room inside Gaza, he continued to injure himself on furniture and metal fixtures. Medics bandaged him repeatedly, and the decision was made to tie him gently to the bed to prevent further self-harm, the soldier said. After the suspect freed himself, the soldiers tied him more tightly.
The soldier stated that the photo was taken to document the medical care provided, and that a fellow soldier shared it via AirDrop without his knowledge. The incident escalated after the photo was uploaded online. The soldier stressed that the binding was not punitive but a safety measure, and that the suspect was treated throughout the detention.
The incident remains under investigation. The soldier's account has not been independently verified.
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