Sniper bullet nearly hit him, now he commands battalion built after Oct. 7 failures - interview

Lt.-Col. Eli Zilberman recounted a harrowing incident during the early stages of the Gaza conflict. In his first major operation, the IDF's 162nd Division ventured into one of the most challenging areas, where snipers posed a deadly threat. Zilberman narrowly escaped a sniper's bullet, which passed just centimeters from his body. This unnerving experience served as a sobering reminder of the immense responsibility that comes with commanding troops in battle.

In the aftermath of the October 7th terror attack, the IDF identified a critical shortage of trained combat personnel. Lt.-Col. Zilberman was tasked with establishing the Tzuri Battalion as part of a broader plan to bolster the reserve forces. The battalion, now operational, is designed to be a highly mobile and flexible reserve force capable of responding swiftly to emerging threats.

Zilberman's battalion has already made significant contributions, including over a dozen arrests, the capture of more than 100 infiltrators, and close collaboration with other units. The battalion's primary role is to defend the region beyond the border and maintain a constant vigil against potential terrorist threats. As Zilberman describes, their operations extend beyond the front lines, working to keep danger at bay and protect communities from harm.