Police, soldiers among nine arrested for allegedly kidnapping, assaulting Palestinian

Sa’ar Ofir, investigated in July for killing a Hamas Nukhba terrorist on October 7, 2023, was apprehended once more on Tuesday, along with eight other suspects – including police officers, soldiers, and one civilian – for allegedly kidnapping and violently assaulting a Palestinian man.

An investigation by the Police Investigation Department publicized on Tuesday found that Ofir worked with three police volunteers, one discharged officer, and four soldiers. His arrest was extended by one week on Tuesday. N12 reported that Ofir is the main suspect and that he denied the allegations.

One of the suspects is a researcher whose arrest was extended by three days, along with a Border Police volunteer, according to Ynet.

According to the PID, the two were involved in the “outer ring” of the incident, reported Ynet, which added that another suspect is a Special Patrol Unit officer who was suspended from his position after he was suspected of stealing weapons on October 7. He was also investigated by the PID in the past.

According to the allegations, the nine apprehended a Palestinian man near Wadi Auja in the West Bank in August. They said that this was after they found a photo on his phone, which they said tied him to Hamas.

Suspects to appear in court

According to the allegations, they decided to kidnap him, force him into a vehicle, and drive to a far-off spot, where they viciously assaulted him before leaving him there. N12 reported that he was later found and received medical treatment.

Security sources told Ynet that there were no indications that the Palestinian man was actually connected to Hamas or any other terrorist group.

The suspects were set to appear at the Rishon Lezion Magistrate’s Court, while the soldiers who were involved were set to appear before a military court.