Criminal9/1/2026

12 Israel Prison Service Guards Charged in Prisoner's Death at Ketziot Prison

The State Attorney's Office filed an indictment with the Beersheba District Court against 12 Israel Prison Service guards. According to the indictment, during an evening inspection they beat nine prisoners, and Ta'ir Abu Asab died as a result of his injuries.

Key facts

•Defendants: 12 Israel Prison Service guards
•Court: Beersheba District Court
•Location of the incident: Ketziot Prison
•Date of the incident: November 2023
•Casualties: one dead and eight injured
•The case number and exact date on which the indictment was filed were not specified in the source

What Happened

According to the indictment, in November 2023, prisoner Ta'ir Abu Asab asked the shift sergeant whether there was a “ceasefire” in the war. The shift commander allegedly reported this to members of the “Keter” unit and the dog handler, and ordered them to enter the cell in an unusual manner during the evening inspection to show the prisoners that there was no ceasefire.

The Prosecution's Account

The prosecution claims that the guards entered the cell and beat nine prisoners with punches and kicks, with some also using batons. The shift commander managed the incident and, according to the State Attorney's Office, personally beat one or more prisoners. After the beating stopped, none of the participants reported the assault or any other unusual incident.

The Prisoner's Death and Additional Casualties

Abu Asab's heart and respiratory system were severely injured, after which he lost consciousness. He was initially taken to the prison clinic and then to Soroka Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Eight additional prisoners were injured.

The Charges and Alleged Cover-Up

All 12 defendants are charged with reckless manslaughter, causing grievous bodily harm under aggravated circumstances, and multiple counts of causing bodily harm under aggravated circumstances. The shift commander and shift sergeant are additionally charged with obstruction of an investigation: the sergeant allegedly instructed a guard to lie about the use of batons, while the commander attempted to coordinate a female guard's testimony with the defendants' accounts. The source reports only that the indictment was filed; it has not yet stated that a judicial ruling was issued on the merits of the case.

Israel Prison Service Response

The Israel Prison Service stated that the incident occurred during the tenure of the previous commissioner. According to the organization, the new commissioner decided at the beginning of his tenure to terminate the service of some of those involved in the affair, stressing that violations of the law and internal discipline are unacceptable.

What this means for you

The filing of an indictment marks the beginning of criminal proceedings, not a determination that the guards are guilty. The case illustrates that the use of force against prisoners and attempts to conceal the circumstances in which it was used may lead to separate criminal charges, including the imposition of responsibility on shift commanders. The final legal determination will depend on the court's decision, which, according to the source, has not yet been issued.

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Case analysis based on court rulings