(NewsNation) — The U.S. State Department says there “must be zero tolerance for sexual assault of detainees” after a leaked surveillance video raised concerns that Israeli soldiers abused Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s Channel 12 aired a video that appeared to show soldiers taking a detainee out of sight of surveillance cameras to carry out abuses, Reuters reported.
State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller confirmed that U.S. officials had seen the video and said Israeli officials arrested “a number of people who are alleged to have been involved.” He said he could not speak to the outcome of any ongoing Israeli investigation into the matter.
“Prisoners’ human rights need to be respected in all cases, and when there are alleged violations the Government of Israel needs to take steps to investigate those who are alleged to have committed abuses, and if appropriate, hold them accountable,” Miller said.
The Israeli Supreme Court considered a petition Wednesday to shutter the desert military prison where the alleged abuse took place, The Associated Press reported.
White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre called the allegations “deeply concerning.”
“We have been clear and consistent with Israel that it must treat all detainees humanely and with dignity in accordance with international law, must respect detainees’ human rights, and must ensure accountability for any abuses or violations,” she said.
