Soldier seriously wounded during hazing ritual, 4 comrades indicted

IDF says abuse ‘unacceptable’ after violent initiation leaves combat soldier hospitalized with a punctured lung, in latest incident of extreme hazing

A combat soldier in the Israel Defense Forces’ Panther Battalion was recently hospitalized in serious condition with a punctured lung after being violently assaulted during a so-called “award ceremony,” with four veteran soldiers now indicted for abuse and causing aggravated bodily harm.

According to the indictment, first reported Saturday by the Maariv newspaper, the incident took place during an informal hazing ritual in which older troops are meant to present younger soldiers with personal gear.

In this case, prosecutors say the practice deviated drastically from accepted norms, escalating into repeated acts of extreme violence.

In the most severe incident, the soldier was punched in the ribs and struck in the back with a weapon attachment, leaving him with a broken rib and internal bleeding.

He lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent surgery and was treated in intensive care for several days. The soldier was later said to be in stable condition, but is not expected to return to combat duty.

Issuing a statement in response, the IDF said, “This is a grave incident that is unacceptable and deviates from IDF orders,” adding that the case was “investigated immediately upon becoming known” and led to a Military Police probe.

The army said the four soldiers have been charged with “joint abuse and causing aggravated bodily harm under aggravated circumstances,” and notes that “in one case [they] caused a soldier real injury requiring medical treatment.” A military court has extended their detention.

“The IDF views acts of abuse with utmost severity… and will act to bring to justice any soldier or commander found involved in such acts,” the statement said.

Addressing claims that commanders were aware of or encouraged the behavior, the IDF said, “A thorough review found that commanders were not aware of the violent incident, and no cooperation by the command staff in the act was identified.”

However, a military source told Maariv that beyond the arrests and indictments, the soldiers involved were removed from combat roles, and a squad commander involved in the case was disciplined. The platoon commander will reportedly not be promoted to core positions, while the company commander will not be recommended for an excellence commendation.

According to the report, the company was also relocated to allow closer supervision by the battalion commander and is holding educational talks to reinforce norms and values.

Hazing rituals are a relatively common practice within the IDF, particularly in infantry and commando units.

While such rituals are often framed by soldiers as harmless pranks or bonding exercises tied to unit cohesion and seniority, past incidents and testimonies indicate that the line between tradition and abuse can quickly blur. What begins as symbolic initiation can, in some cases, escalate into coercion, humiliation or physical violence — particularly in environments where younger soldiers may feel pressure not to report misconduct.

In February, a female sergeant in the IDF Artillery Corps was indicted for abusing two corporals in her unit as part of a so-called hazing ritual. She was accused of abusing the two soldiers as a form of “punishment” for minor infractions, summoning them at night, whipping them with her dog tag, striking them with her rifle, and forcing them to sing, despite their pleas for the actions to stop.

Similarly, last summer, seven soldiers serving in the Israeli Air Force’s Arrow air defense system array were detained for the alleged abuse of junior soldiers. According to a Ynet report, the veteran soldiers were suspected of abuse, violence, threats and sex crimes.