Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the leak of a prison video showing the alleged mistreatment of a Palestinian prisoner is perhaps the worst blow to Israel's image since its founding, DPA reported, quoted by BTA.

Netanyahu made the remarks during his weekly cabinet meeting today. He was referring to the video, which sparked outrage after it was broadcast on Israeli Channel 12 television last August.

Israel's chief military prosecutor, Major General Ifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, resigned on Friday over the Sde Teiman prison incident.

Israeli media reported that it had taken responsibility for publishing the footage, saying it was done to counter"false propaganda directed against military law enforcement."

The comment is apparently referring to attempts by some in Israel to portray the video and reports of the abuse of detainees as fabricated. The video shows the brutal abuse of a Hamas fighter.

Five reservists were charged in February in connection with the case. Lawyers for the defendants have strongly denied the allegations of sexual abuse.

Media reports say the detainee was so badly injured that he had to be taken to hospital, although this is not clearly visible on security cameras as the soldiers partially obscure the view with their shields.

Amnesty International has accused Israel of mistreating and torturing Palestinian prisoners from the Gaza Strip at Sde Teman. Various media outlets have also reported allegations of abuse there.

The prosecutor resigned after an investigation was launched last week into whether members of the military prosecutor's office were involved in the distribution of the video.