Israeli soldier sentenced to seven months for assaults on Gaza detainees

Rights groups say punishment is insufficient after first conviction for abuse in a system where dozens have died

An Israeli soldier has been found guilty of severe assaults of Palestinian detainees from Gaza, the first conviction for abuse in a system where dozens of people have died in custody and whistleblowers say torture and violence is rife.

Israel Hajabi, 25, repeatedly attacked bound and blindfolded detainees with his fists, a baton and his assault rifle, a military court found, describing his actions as serious and severe". On one day alone, 5 June last year, at the Sde Teiman detention centre he beat two men 15 times.