29.03.2026 00:30
Israeli soldiers detained a CNN crew broadcasting live while they were documenting settler attacks in the West Bank. The incident, in which a journalist was forcefully subdued and the crew was held for about two hours, has garnered significant attention from the international community.
The intervention of Israeli soldiers against the CNN team operating in the West Bank has sparked international reactions. According to a report published by CNN International, a journalist was incapacitated using a method similar to a chokehold, while the team was held in custody for about two hours.
INTERVENTION HOURS AFTER SETTLER ATTACK
According to the report, the Israeli army arrived in the area about 12 hours after far-right Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and established an illegal outpost in the village of Tayasir.
However, the soldiers targeted not the attacking settlers, but the Palestinians in the area and the CNN team documenting the events.
POINTING WEAPONS AND FORCING THEM TO SIT ON THE GROUND
During the incident, the CNN team, which was interviewing Palestinians, suddenly found themselves facing Israeli soldiers pointing their weapons at them.
The camera that was recording at that moment captured the soldiers' intervention second by second. The footage clearly shows the soldiers shouting at the journalists, "Stop! Sit down!" as they intervened.
CHOKELOCK AFTER 73 SECONDS
According to the footage, just 73 seconds after the intervention, an Israeli soldier attacked CNN photojournalist Cyril Theophilos from behind and put him in a chokehold.
It was reported that Theophilos was forcibly taken to the ground, and during this time, his equipment was also damaged.
HELD IN CUSTODY FOR 2 HOURS
Shortly after, the CNN team and nearby Palestinians were detained by soldiers. CNN announced that the team members were held in custody for about two hours.
STATEMENT FROM THE ISRAELI ARMY
The Israeli army stated in a statement to CNN regarding the incident:
"The actions and behaviors exhibited by the soldiers in this incident do not align with the expectations of IDF soldiers operating in the Judea and Samaria region."
REACTIONS ARE GROWING
The events have brought back discussions about the attitude of soldiers operating in the occupied West Bank and the safety of press members.
The incident has also resonated widely in the international public opinion.