IDF confirms battalion removed early from West Bank action after alleged assault of CNN crew

The Israel Defense Forces confirms that IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has removed an entire battalion from action in the West Bank following an incident last week in which soldiers detained and allegedly assaulted a CNN crew.

The Menashe Regional Brigade’s 941st “Netzah Israel” Battalion, a reserve unit made up mostly of former soldiers of the Kfir Brigade’s Netzah Yehuda Battalion, was due to end its activities in the West Bank at the end of next month.

Now, the IDF says, following an investigation into the incident, Zamir has decided to end the battalion’s operational activity in the West Bank. The battalion will remain in reserve duty and will undergo training “strengthening its professional and ethical foundations.” With the approval of the head of the command, it will return to activity at the end of that process, the statement says.

The statement adds that additional steps will be taken and further details about the investigation will be released in the future.

Emanuel Fabian contributed to this report.