Mutiny in Israeli forces? 100 soldiers desert base after row with commander

Around 100 soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Tzabar Battalion walked out of the Sde Teiman base after their commander ordered battalion signs to be removed and destroyed. They left carrying only their personal bags, leaving behind their military equipment and weapons before heading home.The military said the decorative signs included material that humiliated fresh recruits and therefore had no place within the unit. (Screengrab: X)A dispute over battalion traditions erupted into a rare show of dissent inside the Israeli military as around 100 soldiers from the Givati Brigade's Tzabar Battalion walked out of their base in southern Israel. The Israeli military has launched an investigation, calling the episode a serious disciplinary incident, according to several Israeli news outlets.The incident unfolded at the Sde Teiman military base in the Negev Desert, where around 100 troops reportedly left the installation without authorisation after the commander ordered the removal and destruction of signs displayed by soldiers. The Israeli military said the signs contained material that humiliated new recruits, while many soldiers argued they represented a long-standing battalion tradition.As per The Times of Israel, troops left their weapons and military equipment behind and departed carrying only their personal belongings.DISPUTE OVER BATTALION TRADITIONSThe confrontation began after the battalion commander ordered the removal of symbols linked to what the military described as "irregular incidents involving the battalion's veteran-junior tradition". The military said the decorative signs included material that allegedly humiliated rookie soldiers and therefore had no place within the unit.However, soldiers disputed that characterisation. According to reports, members of the battalion said the items had accompanied them during military operations in Gaza and Lebanon and had been passed down from one intake of soldiers to the next. They argued that the symbols showed the battalion's history, identity and camaraderie rather than an attempt to humiliate younger recruits.SOLDIERS ORDERED TO RETURNFollowing the mass walkout, commanders ordered the soldiers to return to the base by 4 pm local time or face disciplinary action. A message sent to the troops warned that anyone who failed to return by the deadline would immediately be classified as absent without official leave (AWOL)."At exactly 16:00, there will be a check in the company to see who has remained/returned. Anyone who has not returned by 16:00 will be immediately classified as AWOL," the message read, as quoted by The Times of Israel. It also warned that the names of those who failed to report back would be forwarded to the Military Police.QUESTIONS OVER COMBAT READINESSThe walkout has also raised questions about the battalion's operational readiness.According to Israeli newspaper Maariv, the battalion is currently not considered qualified to participate in combat missions it had been preparing to undertake in Gaza because of the incident.Another Israeli outlet, Israel Hayom, reported that both soldiers and some commanders left carrying personal bags while leaving behind military equipment before heading home.Mass walkouts by infantry soldiers over disputes with commanders have occurred in the Israeli military in the past, often linked to allegations of unfair treatment or disciplinary disagreements. However, the latest incident comes at a particularly sensitive time as Israeli forces continue military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.- EndsPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Jul 30, 2026 19:57 IST