Military investigating suspected gang rape of female soldier on airbase

One suspect denies suspicions during questioning, claims sexual relations were consensual.

By YAAKOV LAPPIN
Abuse (Illustrative Photo) (photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
Abuse (Illustrative Photo)
(photo credit: INGIMAGE / ASAP)
Four soldiers serving on an air base in the South are under arrest after a female soldier said they gang-raped her.
Military Police arrested the suspects, who served at the Hatzerim Air Base west of Beersheba, and opened an investigation, the IDF said.
Military sources said the female soldier’s commanders have closely supported her as she filed the complaint, and accompanied her throughout the aftermath of the alleged attack.
According to a Channel 2 report, the attack occurred two weeks ago, as the soldiers completed a shift and entered the female soldier’s room, where they allegedly raped her in succession.
She filed a complaint to Military Police on Tuesday, leading to their immediate arrest.
One of the suspects denied the suspicions during questioning, claiming that sexual relations were consensual.
The IDF spokesman said, “After receiving the complaint, Military Police launched an investigation and arrested the soldiers. At the same time, the female soldier is being cared for by the Center for Support and Coping [a military center that assists female soldiers who fell victim to sexual offenses], and her commanders are closely accompanying her.”