Col. (res.) Yoav Yarom, the IDF officer who approved the reconnaissance mission in Lebanon resulting in the deaths of journalist Ze'ev Erlich and IDF soldier Gur Kehati, spoke out in a televised interview. Yarom defended the decision to allow Erlich into the combat zone, stating that his presence was known and approved by senior command. He also emphasized that Erlich's activities were openly coordinated and approved by brigade commanders. The deaths of Erlich and Kehati have sparked a national debate on the involvement of civilian journalists in active combat zones.