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, it was reported Saturday.

According to the indictment, reported 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........

© The Times of Israel