IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Monday sharply condemned the conduct of soldiers involved in an incident with a CNN crew, calling it a “serious ethical and professional failure” that violated the army’s core values and standards.
Speaking after reviewing findings from an initial probe, Zamir said the behavior and rhetoric documented during the confrontation were unacceptable for soldiers in uniform.
“This is a serious ethical incident that does not align with IDF norms and values,” he said. “We will not accept such conduct within the ranks of the IDF.”
Zamir stressed that soldiers are required to act with restraint, discipline and a sense of state responsibility, particularly during wartime. He underscored that any use of force must be strictly tied to operational needs.
“Statements calling for revenge by IDF soldiers are extremely serious, all the more so when made by a soldier carrying a weapon given solely for the execution of a mission,” he said.
The remarks came a day after the IDF took the unusual step of suspending the operational activity of the entire Reserve 941st Battalion, known as “Netzah Yisrael,” following the incident, which sparked international criticism.
According to the military’s findings, the unit had been operating near the evacuation of an illegal outpost when journalists arrived at the scene alongside Palestinians. Soldiers separated the groups and conducted security checks before releasing them, though one crew member was temporarily held pending approval.
The investigation found that one soldier made inappropriate remarks during the exchange that did not meet IDF standards, and identified broader failures in conduct, discipline and interaction with media personnel.
The incident itself, partially captured on video, showed soldiers confronting the CNN crew, attempting to halt their work and, according to reports, aiming weapons at them. One soldier was seen placing a cameraman in a chokehold, causing damage to the equipment.
During the confrontation, soldiers were heard making statements about revenge and asserting that the West Bank belongs to Jews, remarks that drew strong criticism within the military.
A senior military official described the episode as “very serious,” saying it damaged the IDF’s legitimacy and harmed Israel’s international standing, particularly during wartime.
Zamir emphasized that such conduct runs counter to the values expected of soldiers and that maintaining discipline and proper behavior is a command responsibility.
“The responsibility for upholding values and military discipline rests first and foremost with commanders,” he said. “We will not compromise on this.”
The IDF said allegations of physical violence by one of the soldiers are under review and may lead to a Military Police investigation, depending on the findings.
At the same time, the military said a preliminary review found no evidence supporting claims that an elderly Palestinian man was assaulted by IDF forces prior to the incident.
“The IDF respects and enables freedom of the press and regrets the incident,” the military said, adding that officials had been in direct contact with the journalists and issued a personal apology.
Despite the severity of the incident, Zamir expressed confidence in the battalion’s leadership and said the unit would undergo a process to reinforce professional and ethical standards before returning to operational duty.
The episode is expected to serve as a broader signal within the military, as commanders seek to reinforce norms of conduct, particularly in interactions with media and civilians during ongoing operations.