{"id":282338,"date":"2026-02-09T16:20:08","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T16:20:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/282338\/"},"modified":"2026-02-09T16:20:08","modified_gmt":"2026-02-09T16:20:08","slug":"report-prison-staff-waited-28-minutes-to-call-medics-for-idf-officer-who-died-in-custody-in-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/282338\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Prison Staff Waited 28 Minutes to Call Medics for IDF Officer Who Died in Custody in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">A report by Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday revealed new details about the 2021 death of Capt. Tomer Eiges, an IDF intelligence officer accused of security offenses, indicating that prison staff failed to respond promptly to his medical emergency.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">According to Kan, after Eiges collapsed in prison, his cellmates called for help for 13 minutes \u2013 but it took around half an hour until staff called emergency services.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">On the night of May 16, 2021, Eiges was found in serious condition at the detention facility and <a class=\"x1bvjpef x41m6fz xly1mqq x1k57tk5 x1i43xu1 xx6stda x15spe28 x1wntsoc xj69yco xfw692k xg830sg x13dflua xfagghw xz4gly6\" target=\"_router\" href=\"https:\/\/www.haaretz.com\/israel-news\/israel-security\/2026-02-08\/ty-article\/.premium\/name-revealed-of-idf-intelligence-officer-who-died-in-israeli-prison-cell-in-2021\/0000019c-3ba8-d8da-abfc-7fae0b140000\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">died shortly after at the hospital <\/a>to which he was evacuated, at the age of 24.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">One of the officer&#8217;s cellmates said that at 11:31 P.M., Eiges began to seize. &#8220;Another soldier knocked on the door and yelled, &#8216;Tomer is seizing, Tomer is seizing!'&#8221; he said. &#8220;I turned my head and saw things coming out from his mouth, like vomit. His body shook.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">Until the prison&#8217;s commanders arrived, the cellmates tried to assist him. The soldier described that when the commanders entered the cell, the other soldier &#8220;helped one of them to tilt Tomer&#8217;s body&#8221; and then the commanders took the cellmates outside. There was a commotion in the cell, and it took a while for the commanders to clear it in order to treat Eiges. <\/p>\n<p>Kan report showing video footage from Tomer Eiges&#8217; cell on the day he died.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">&#8220;When Tomer collapsed, the two medics were in the shower, even though at least one should have been on call,&#8221; the lawyer representing Eiges&#8217; parents said,<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">The company commander claimed she had called the medics, but that they did not arrive.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">At 11:50 P.M., the commanders took the seizing officer to the prison clinic. The company commander told Kan, &#8220;I see the medic in a bra after a shower, and she simply didn&#8217;t know what to do.&#8221; <\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">Kan reported that the staff only called Magen David Adom emergency services 28 minutes after Eiges collapsed. The platoon sergeant who spoke with the call center did not know whether Eiges was breathing or if he had a pulse. <\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">Magen David Adom eventually instructed her to carry out resuscitation. Eight minutes passed from the call until an ambulance reached the prison. Eiges was pronounced dead at 1 A.M. on May 17.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">The IDF commented on the report, stating that prison officials &#8220;acted to ensure the deceased was held in appropriate and proper conditions, but shortcomings and flaws were nonetheless found in their conduct.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Related Articles<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">Rambam Hospital, where Eiges was taken, stated, &#8220;The patient was evacuated by the IDF to the emergency room following a complaint of injury caused by a fall. He was thoroughly examined, and an injury resulting from a fall was ruled out.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">The gag order on Tomer Eiges&#8217; name was lifted on Sunday at Kan&#8217;s request. The case evoked widespread public furor ever since Eiges died in 2021, with many details still kept under wraps. <\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">The circumstances surrounding the officer&#8217;s death are unclear, and the reason for his imprisonment remains under a gag order. However, in 2021, it was cleared for publication that he was not accused of treason offenses nor of contact with a foreign agent.<\/p>\n<p><img data-chromatic=\"ignore\" title=\"Captain Tomer Eiges' grave, in 2021. Credit: Rami Shllush\" alt=\"\u05e7\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5 \u05e9\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05e6\u05d9\u05df \u05e9\u05de\u05ea, \u05d4\u05d9\u05d5\u05dd\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1468\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3692406991.jpg\"  decoding=\"async\" class=\"x1mraiob xxymvpz xt7dq6l x193iq5w xh8yej3 x1huxd7x\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><img data-chromatic=\"ignore\" title=\"Captain Tomer Eiges' grave, in 2021. Credit: Rami Shllush\" alt=\"\u05e7\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5 \u05e9\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05e6\u05d9\u05df \u05e9\u05de\u05ea, \u05d4\u05d9\u05d5\u05dd\" width=\"2200\" height=\"1468\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/3692406991.jpg\"  decoding=\"async\" class=\"x1mraiob xxymvpz xt7dq6l x193iq5w xh8yej3\" loading=\"lazy\"\/>Close<\/p>\n<p>Captain Tomer Eiges&#8217; grave, in 2021. Credit: Rami Shllush<\/p>\n<p>Captain Tomer Eiges&#8217; grave, in 2021. Credit: Rami Shllush<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">In September 2020, Eiges was arrested after a lengthy military investigation into serious security offenses. The army had said his motives were neither ideological nor political, and that he had concealed his actions despite being aware of the potential damage they could cause to state security.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">Eiges cooperated during his interrogation and admitted to many of the acts attributed to him. He was held in the military prison while legal proceedings against him continued. <\/p>\n<p>Haaretz Podcast\u2018Organized crime groups are subcontractors for the Netanyahu government\u2019s destruction of Israel\u2019s Arab society\u2019<\/p>\n<p>play<\/p>\n<p>Haaretz Podcast<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Organized crime groups are subcontractors for the Netanyahu government\u2019s destruction of Israel\u2019s Arab society\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Volume: 0.5<\/p>\n<p>X1<\/p>\n<p>total&#8211; : &#8211;time0:00<\/p>\n<p>fast forward15<\/p>\n<p>play<\/p>\n<p>rewind15<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">In June 2023, the police team investigating the circumstances surrounding the death said it had found no indication that it was the result of a deliberate act.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">In February last year, <a class=\"x1bvjpef x41m6fz xly1mqq x1k57tk5 x1i43xu1 xx6stda x15spe28 x1wntsoc xj69yco xfw692k xg830sg x13dflua xfagghw xz4gly6\" target=\"_router\" href=\"https:\/\/www.haaretz.com\/israel-news\/2021-06-07\/ty-article\/.premium\/family-of-intel-officer-who-died-in-military-prison-to-see-redacted-indictment\/0000017f-e6dc-d62c-a1ff-feff23750000\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Eiges&#8217;s parents<\/a> said that the opinion presented to them by then-Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi indicated that his death was caused by an unaddressed medical problem, and determined that it could not be concluded that the officer took his own life, as during his detention, he did not experience depressive symptoms.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">&#8220;A series of failures and negligent conduct by several officials, alongside inadequate medical monitoring, led to his death,&#8221; they said.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">Eiges was considered a computer science prodigy in high school, his acquaintances said. He completed a bachelor&#8217;s degree in computer science at 16. He served in a classified role in Military Intelligence for several years, was considered an outstanding officer and was highly praised.<\/p>\n<p data-testid=\"rich-text\" class=\"x13faqbe x12ds5z6 x1rrzvkg x1txrjqu x115k1yo x126s5kd x1az39ph x1qxhirb xhhm3bp xjplvm8 x1ur7pbh\">In 2023, then-IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi announced that Eiges would be <a class=\"x1bvjpef x41m6fz xly1mqq x1k57tk5 x1i43xu1 xx6stda x15spe28 x1wntsoc xj69yco xfw692k xg830sg x13dflua xfagghw xz4gly6\" target=\"_router\" href=\"https:\/\/www.haaretz.com\/israel-news\/2023-01-02\/ty-article\/.premium\/israeli-intel-officer-who-died-mysteriously-in-jail-to-be-declared-fallen-soldier\/00000185-73e1-d464-a197-f7f3ed7b0000\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">recognized as a fallen soldier.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A report by Israeli public broadcaster Kan on Sunday revealed new details about the 2021 death of Capt.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":282339,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[42,1155,1031,838,12429,43,40,38,41,39],"class_list":{"0":"post-282338","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-headlines","8":"tag-headlines","9":"tag-human-rights","10":"tag-idf","11":"tag-israel-prison-service","12":"tag-magen-david-adom","13":"tag-news","14":"tag-top-news","15":"tag-top-stories","16":"tag-topnews","17":"tag-topstories"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282338","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=282338"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/282338\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/282339"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=282338"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=282338"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=282338"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}