The alleged crimes were apparently committed for over a year and started when
the girl was 13. Dozens of suspects were questioned over the shocking affair in
recent weeks by Military Police and Israel Police investigators.
A publication ban on the affair was lifted Sunday as Ynet's request.
Meanwhile, army officials told Ynet the events in question are grave.
"It's even more severe because it happened inside a military base, and the way
it looks now we'll be serving indictments against many involved in the affair,"
one IDF source said.
Overall, 35 soldiers serving at the base are suspected of having sex with the
girl during the past year. The affair first came to light about a month ago and
prompted the probe.
Many of those questioned said the girl did not attend school and claimed she
was about to be drafted into the military, which led them to believe she was 17
or 18. As a result, some of the soldiers said they did not know their deeds
were illegal.
At this time, Military Prosecutors decided not to arrest anyone while
proceeding with interrogations under warning.
A senior official familiar with the scandal told Ynet certain problems emerged
in collecting testimonials and characterizing the deeds, but added that even if
rape is ruled out many of those involved will be charged with voluntary illegal
intercourse, because the girl apparently did not voice objection. However, the
punishment for such crimes can be up to five years in prison.
Ynet turned to the Be'er Sheva Magistrate's Court about 10 days ago and asked
that the publication ban on the affair be at least scaled back so that some
details can be published. On Sunday, the court complied with the request and
lifted the ban.
Family to leave base
A senior Air Force official characterized the affair as a "conspiracy of
silence."
"The affair went on for a long time but nobody knew or heard anything. Nobody
also thought of reporting it," he said.
According to the investigation, the affair involved mostly soldiers doing their
mandatory army service and some civilians.
Another officer said that the base's commander, whose name cannot be published
for security considerations, was stunned when he first heard about the
incidents.
"It took him some time to comprehend the scope of the incidents, the number of
those involved, the period of time it went on, and everyone's silence," the
officer said.
