An IDF soldier has been sentenced to a jail term after he was filmed firing his weapon indiscriminately on New Year's Eve.
The soldier was caught on camera discharging his machine gun several times into the distance.
It is not clear from the clip what he was aiming at, with Hebrew media suggesting that the gunfire was celebratory.
But the IDF has denied widespread reports that it was directed at civilian homes in the area.
The military's international spokesman, Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, said: "The soldier documented in the video acted contrary to procedures by firing in an unprofessional manner and not complying with orders.
"As a result, the soldier was sentenced to 20 days in prison."
Replying to social media comments, he added: "Just to clarify: He was firing towards an open area and not at civilian homes in Gaza.
"Still unprofessional and not in accordance with our orders."
And, in a separate statement, the army told the Kan public broadcaster that the soldier's actions constituted "a grave incident that does not accord with the values of the IDF and with the standards expected of combat soldiers and their commanders".
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