The BBC and Israeli media are reporting that Israeli female soldiers will be banned from serving as guards in maximum security prisons after allegations of having sex with a Palestinian prisoner.

The Israeli press writes that a female soldier admitted that she had an intimate relationship with a Palestinian who is accused of participating in a deadly attack on Israeli civilians.

The woman went through military service, which is mandatory for most Israelis. Women must serve in the army for at least two years, and men – 32 months.

The names of the serviceman and the prisoner, who is serving a life sentence, have not been released.

The court hearing the case decided not to disclose other details, including the location of the prison.

Israeli media also reported that during questioning, the woman who was arrested stated that four other women also had intimate relations with the same man.

The Palestinian was moved from a cell to a separate wing before being questioned, the Israeli Penitentiary Service (IPS) said.

On Friday, IPS Chief Katy Perry and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that female soldiers would no longer serve in maximum-security prisons that hold Palestinian “terrorists.”

Israeli media quoted Ben-Gvir as saying that by mid-2025, “there will not be a single female soldier left in maximum-security prisons.”

There have been repeated calls to end the service of female Israeli soldiers in Israeli maximum security prisons. However, they were previously blocked due to lack of staff to replace them.

The press also writes that the relationship with the prisoner was allegedly established by a female guard, as her military service is coming to an end.

The inmate allegedly had a phone in his cell that was used to communicate with several female guards and exchange photos. It is not known whether any of the guards provided the phone.

The detained Palestinian was moved from his cell to another wing of the prison on Friday morning and will be questioned later, IPS said in a statement.