The Israeli military has suspended a reserve battalion after its soldiers were involved in the assault and detention of a CNN news crew in the occupied West Bank.
The decision, announced on Monday, orders the unit to immediately stop all operations and withdraw from the West Bank. The soldiers will now undergo further training until further notice, according to military officials.
The battalion is made up of reservists linked to the ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda unit.
The move came just days after the incident, which drew widespread attention following a CNN report. It is seen as a rare and swift disciplinary action, reflecting growing concern within Israel’s security establishment over increasing settler violence in the West Bank.
The incident happened last Thursday in the Palestinian village of Tayasir. CNN correspondent Jeremy Diamond and his team were reporting on a recent settler attack when Israeli soldiers confronted them.
During the encounter, one of the soldiers put CNN photojournalist Cyril Theophilos in a chokehold, forced him to the ground, and damaged his camera. The crew was also detained at the scene.
Israel’s military said the case is being taken seriously, describing the soldiers’ actions as a “serious ethical and professional failure.” It added that the behaviour seen in the incident does not reflect the values expected of its forces.
An investigation into the assault has been launched by military police, and officials say further disciplinary steps could be taken against those involved.
Military chief Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir stressed that weapons must only be used for operational duties and not for revenge, warning that such conduct will not be tolerated.
The suspended unit is part of the Netzah Yehuda battalion, originally created to accommodate ultra-Orthodox soldiers. However, in recent years, it has been linked to members of hardline settler groups operating in the West Bank.
The incident has also revived past concerns. In 2024, the United States considered imposing sanctions on the unit over alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians, though the plan was later dropped after Israel said it had taken corrective steps.
Video from the scene showed some soldiers making controversial remarks, including claims that the West Bank belongs entirely to Jews and that their actions were in retaliation for the killing of an Israeli settler days earlier.
The suspension has sparked mixed reactions in Israel. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir criticised the move, calling it a mistake that could weaken the country’s security.
On the other hand, opposition figures and journalists’ groups have called for stricter accountability. The Israeli Journalists’ Union urged authorities to fully prosecute those responsible for the attack.
The military had earlier apologised to CNN over the incident and promised a thorough investigation.
The case has drawn renewed attention to the rising tensions and increasing violence in the West Bank, especially as the broader conflict in the region continues to escalate.
