53-523: The 933rd "Nahal" Brigade is one of the Israel Defense Forces ' main infantry brigades . It has operated in all major wars and large-scale operations since its inception in 1982, playing key roles during the 1982 and the 2006 Lebanon Wars and the First and Second Intifadas . It was established as a separate brigade in 1982, in response to the growing need for infantry manpower, before
106-785: A close security relationship with the United States , including in research and development cooperation, with joint efforts on the F-15I and the Arrow defence system, among others. The IDF is believed to have maintained an operational nuclear weapons capability since 1967 , possibly possessing between 80 and 400 nuclear warheads . The IDF’s actions and policies in the Palestinian territories have faced widespread criticism, with accusations of repression , discrimination, and abuses of Palestinian rights . The Israeli cabinet ratified
159-547: A five-year program envisioned by Rabbi Yehuda Amital which combines Torah learning and military service . Some distinguished recruits are selected to be trained to eventually become members of special forces units . Every brigade in the IDF has its special force branch. Career soldiers are paid on average NIS 23,000 a month, fifty times the NIS 460 paid to conscripts. In 1998–2000, only about 9% of those who refused to serve in
212-504: A four pocket tunic (yarkit/yerkit) worn untucked with a pistol belt cinched tight around the waist over the shirt. The IDF Air Corps has a dress uniform consisting of a pale blue shirt with dark blue trousers. Most IDF soldiers are issued black leather combat boots , certain units issue reddish-brown leather boots for historical reasons — the paratroopers, combat medics, Nahal and Kfir Brigades, as well as some Special Forces units ( Sayeret Matkal , Oketz , Duvdevan , Maglan , and
265-979: A full-scale defence force after the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine with an organized structure, consisting of three main units—the Field Corps , Guard Corps , and the Palmach . During World War II, the Yishuv participated in the British war effort, culminating in the formation of the Jewish Brigade . These would eventually form the backbone of the Israel Defense Forces, and provide it with its initial manpower and doctrine. Following Israel's Declaration of Independence , Prime Minister and Defense Minister David Ben-Gurion issued an order for
318-513: A letter calling for the flow of aid into Gaza to be restricted. Nahal Infantry Brigade soldiers undertake around four months of basic training and around four months of advanced training in the Israeli desert. Consists primarily of physical conditioning, Krav Maga, rifle training and the qualifying obstacle course. Recruits begin their desert marches at this point in order to prepare them for their 70+ kilometers, depending on company beret march at
371-632: A result, Shomer was issued command again until a permanent replacement could be found. On 7 October 2023, brigade commander Lt. Col. Yonatan Steinberg was killed during the Israel–Hamas war . In April 2024, Nochi Mandel, the chief of staff of the Nahal Brigade, was dismissed following the World Central Kitchen aid convoy attack that killed seven aid workers. Mandel, a religious nationalist Israeli settler , had previously signed
424-504: A rotational basis on the most volatile Israeli borders (Lebanon, Syria and Gaza) as well as in the West Bank territories. It is tasked with regular patrol and observation operations on the borders, counter-terrorist operations and riot control in the West Bank as well as tactical assault support to police operations in the territories. It has operated in all major wars and large-scale operations since its inception, playing key roles during
477-478: A squad, platoon, and company level. Recruits learn how to operate both on open field battlefields, desert and mountain, and in urban terrain. After advanced training soldiers undergo a further stage of specialist training, combined with border guarding. During this time soldiers will undergo advanced urban warfare training, advanced navigation training, open field and mountain fighting training, Battalions 931 and 932 are composed entirely of soldiers who draft through
530-651: A two minutes exchange of fire, Najah succeeded in killing six Nahal soldiers and wounding another 10, before being killed himself. The Palestinian victory was widely celebrated in the Palestinian Occupied Territories and contributed to the outbreak of the First Intifada . In November 2002 three Nahal soldiers were killed in an ambush in the Palestinian city of Hebron. Another nine IDF soldiers and security personnel were killed in
583-550: Is Herzi Halevi . The IDF includes the following bodies. Those whose respective heads are members of the General Staff are in bold: Ground Arm Air and Space Arm Sea Arm General Staff The IDF operates, as of 2024, a Multi-Domain Joint Operations Array, dealing with multi-domain operations , a joint warfare branch. Military: Civilian: Unlike most militaries,
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#1732782958707636-707: Is subordinate to the Israeli Defense Minister . On the orders of first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion , the IDF was formed on 26 May 1948 and began to operate as a conscript military , drawing its initial recruits from the already-existing paramilitaries of the Yishuv —namely Haganah , the Irgun , and Lehi . It was formed shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence and has participated in every armed conflict involving Israel . In
689-554: The 1982 Lebanon War . Its 50th battalion was originally part of the Paratrooper Brigade in the 1950s. It is formed mainly from regular draftees, as well as from a core of soldiers from the Nahal group , part of the Nahal movement, which combines social volunteerism, agriculture (historically the establishment of kibbutz farming communities) and military service. Many Mahal foreign volunteers are also known to serve in
742-604: The 7th , and 8th armoured brigades, Oded , Harel , Yiftach , and the Negev . After the war, some of the brigades were converted to reserve units, and others were disbanded. Directorates and corps were created from corps and services in the Haganah, and this basic structure in the IDF still exists today . Immediately after the 1948 war, the Israel-Palestinian conflict shifted to a low-intensity conflict between
795-537: The Bakum . Prior to 2006, both groups of prospective 50th battalion soldiers were required to pass a two-day gibbush (selection phase) before being drafted in order to get into the 50th Battalion. Part of the battalion's training comprised a paratrooper course after advanced infantry training, hence Nahal Mutznaḥ , or Airborne Nahal , the name of the battalion before being transferred to the Nahal brigade. Since 2006, both
848-583: The Gaza War (2008–2009) , the 2012 Gaza War , the 2014 Gaza War , and the 2021 Israel-Palestine crisis , causing the IDF to change many of its values and publish the IDF Code of Ethics . The Lebanese Shia organization Hezbollah has also been a growing threat, against which the IDF fought an asymmetric conflict between 1982 and 2000, as well as a full-scale war in 2006. The Israel Defense Forces have been accused of committing various war crimes since
901-483: The HSAT Mk II/Mk III paratrooper helmets ), US M1 helmet , and French Modèle 1951 helmet – previously worn by Israeli infantry and airborne troops from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s and early 1980s. Some corps or units have small variations in their uniforms – for instance, military police wear a white belt and police hat , Naval personnel have dress whites for parades, paratroopers are issued
954-685: The Jewish Legion , both part of the British Army of World War I , further bolstered the Yishuv with military experience and manpower, forming the basis for later paramilitary forces. After the 1920 Palestine riots against Jews in April 1920, the Yishuv leadership realized the need for a nationwide underground defence organization, and the Haganah was founded in June 1920. The Haganah became
1007-567: The West Bank , including East Jerusalem ). In 2000, the IDF withdrew from Southern Lebanon and in 2005 from Gaza . Conflict between Israel and Islamist groups based in Gaza, notably Hamas , has continued since then. Moreover, notable Israeli–Syrian border incidents have occurred frequently since 2011, due to regional instability caused by the Syrian civil war . Since 1967, the IDF has maintained
1060-901: The founding of Israel in 1948. Israel ratified the Geneva Conventions on July 6, 1951, and on January 2, 2015, the State of Palestine acceded to the Rome Statute , granting the International Criminal Court (ICC) jurisdiction over war crimes committed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT). A 2017 report by Human Rights Watch accused the IDF of unlawful killings , using excessive force in policing situations , forced displacement , excessive use of detention and excessive restrictions on movement , as well as criticized
1113-474: The gibbush and the paratrooper course were dropped and the 50th became a regular infantry battalion. In 2010 Nahal soldiers from the 50th Battalion produced IDF Tick Tock , a viral video of themselves dancing as a flash mob in the streets of Hebron . Soldiers in this battalion undergo an additional eight months of training in krav maga , urban combat, navigation, camouflage, parachuting and other specialized courses. During periods of low intensity conflict,
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#17327829587071166-533: The Counter-Terror School). Women were also formerly issued sandals , but this practice has ceased. IDF soldiers have three types of insignia (other than rank insignia) which identify their corps, specific unit, and position. A pin attached to the beret identifies a soldier's corps. Individual units are identified by a shoulder tag attached to the left shoulder strap . The position/job of a soldier can then be identified by an aiguillette attached to
1219-892: The Defense of Israel ' ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal ( צה״ל ), is the national military of the State of Israel . It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces , the Israeli Air Force , and the Israeli Navy . It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security apparatus . The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff , who
1272-509: The First and Second Lebanon War and the First and Second Intifada. On 10 June 1982, the Israeli air force mistook a column of IDF Nahal forces for a Syrian commando unit. An IAF F-4 Phantom attacked the Battalion 931, advancing in open APCs in south-eastern Lebanon with cluster ammunition. The unit suffered 24 soldiers killed and 108 wounded, with a further 30 soldiers shell shocked. It was
1325-565: The Haganah, also joined the IDF with provisions , and Ben Gurion responded by disbanding its staff in 1949, after which many senior Palmach officers retired, notably its first commander, Yitzhak Sadeh . The new army organized itself when the 1947–48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine escalated into the 1948 Arab–Israeli War , which saw neighbouring Arab states attack. Twelve infantry and armoured brigades formed: Golani , Carmeli , Alexandroni , Kiryati , Givati , Etzioni ,
1378-533: The IDF and Palestinian fedayeen . In the 1956 Suez Crisis , the IDF's first serious test of strength after 1949, the new army captured the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, which was later returned. In the 1967 Six-Day War , Israel conquered the Sinai Peninsula, Gaza Strip , West Bank (including East Jerusalem ) and Golan Heights from the surrounding Arab states, changing the balance of power in
1431-709: The IDF answer to a single General Staff . The Chief of the General Staff is the only serving officer having the rank of Lieutenant General ( Rav Aluf ). He reports directly to the Defense Minister and indirectly to the Prime Minister of Israel and the cabinet. Chiefs of Staff are formally appointed by the cabinet, based on the Defense Minister's recommendation, for three years. The government can vote to extend their service to four, and on rare occasions even five years. The current chief of staff
1484-480: The IDF uses the same rank names in all corps, including the air force and navy. From the formation of the IDF until the late 1980s, sergeant major was a particularly important warrant officer rank, in line with usage in other armies. In the 1980s and 1990s the proliferating ranks of sergeant major became devalued, and now all professional non-commissioned officer ranks are a variation on sergeant major ( rav samal ) except for rav nagad . All translations here are
1537-500: The IDF's support and protection for Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory . Human rights experts argue that actions taken by the IDF during armed conflicts in the OPT fall under the rubric of war crimes. Various UN special rapporteurs , alongside human rights and aid organizations including Human Rights Watch , Médecins Sans Frontières , Amnesty International , have accused Israel of war crimes. All branches of
1590-479: The Israeli military were granted an exemption. Permanent service is designed for soldiers who choose to continue serving in the army after their regular service, for a short or long period, and in many cases making the military their career. Permanent service is based on a contractual agreement between the IDF and the permanent position holder. After personnel complete their regular service, they are either granted permanent exemption from military service or assigned
1643-533: The Nahal Brigade, providing a highly motivated and disciplined core of soldiers for the brigade. Nahal Brigade soldiers are distinguished by their light green berets, which earned them the nickname "sticklights" (Hebrew for glowsticks ). The brigade is composed of four active-duty battalions – 50, 931, 932 , and 934 (the Gadsar, Hebrew for reconnaissance battalion ) – and the various companies on its training base, which together comprise Battalion 933. It operates on
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1696-556: The Nahal brigade soldiers was also pointed out. The Nahal Brigade Commander Gilboa went as far as branding the soldiers of his own brigade as "eight cowards". In November 1987, two PFLP-GC fighters managed to slip through the Lebanese-Israeli border on hang gliders . One of them was cornered and killed by the IDF. The second fighter, Miloud Najah from Tunisia, avoided capture and attacked an IDF base outside Kiryat Shemona in northern Israel, manned by Nahal brigade soldiers. In
1749-456: The companies are tasked with capturing enemies of the state and serve as counter-terrorism forces, raiding terrorist homes and hideouts. Gadsar Nahal won the IDF Chief of Staff prize in 2010 for best land combat unit. Israel Defense Forces The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ; Hebrew : צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל Tsva ha-Hagana le-Yisra'el , lit. ' Army for
1802-562: The control over human resources and its placement. National military service is mandatory for all Israeli citizens over the age of 18, although Arab (but not Druze ) citizens are exempted if they so please, and other exceptions may be made on religious, physical or psychological grounds (see Profile 21 ). The Tal law exempted ultra-Orthodox Jews from service. In June 2024, Israel's Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Haredi Jews were eligible for compulsory service, ending nearly eight decades of exemption. The army began drafting Haredi men
1855-751: The desert. There they learn to survive for the first time on combat rations, limited water, extreme desert heat, sleep deprivation, and field injuries all while being subjected to intense physical activity. Camouflage, fortification construction, combat first aid, and stealth maneuvering will also be taught at this stage. Recruits will be expected to be fully proficient with their rifles, both maintenance and shooting. Recruits displaying certain aptitudes will be sent on various specialist courses: sharpshooter training, squad automatic gunner training, tactical MATADOR-missile training, radio operator's course, advanced camouflage and fortifications course, combat paramedic course, All recruits learn how to conduct live-fire drills at
1908-495: The end of advanced training. These marches are performed fully kitted in order to prepare them for battlefield marching. Rifle training aims to perfect recruits' day and night shooting skills prior to advanced training. Recruits undergo two-man team live firing exercises in the field. Weapon understanding and maintenance is an important element of basic rifle training. Recruits are taught army values and weapon safety and responsibility. Recruits are introduced to long field exercises in
1961-598: The following month. Until the draft of July 2015, men served three years in the IDF. Men drafted since July 2015 serve two years and eight months (32 months), with some roles requiring an additional four months of Permanent service. Women serve two years. The IDF women who volunteer for several combat positions often serve for three years, due to the longer period of training. Women in other positions, such as programmers, who also require lengthy training time, may also serve three years. Many Religious Zionist men (and many Modern Orthodox who make Aliyah ) elect to do Hesder ,
2014-451: The formation of the Israel Defense Forces on 26 May 1948. Although Ben-Gurion had no legal authority to issue such an order, the order was made legal by the cabinet on 31 May. The same order called for the disbandment of all other Jewish armed forces. The two other Jewish underground organizations, Irgun and Lehi , agreed to join the IDF if they would be able to form independent units and agreed not to make independent arms purchases. This
2067-595: The incident, including Col. Weinberg, the commander of the Hebron brigade, were killed in the clash. The battle was widely seen as a victory for the Palestinian Islamic Jihad , who lost three fighters in the incident. From August 2019 to June 2021, the brigade was led by Yisrael Shomer . On 28 June, Sharon Asman [ he ] was appointed as the new commander. However, three days later, on 1 July, Asman suddenly died during morning training. As
2120-502: The left shoulder strap and shirt pocket, and a pin indicating the soldier's work type. The military service is held in three different tracks: Sometimes the IDF would also hold pre-military courses (קורס קדם צבאי or קד"צ) for soon-to-be regular service soldiers. The Israeli Manpower Directorate ( Hebrew : אגף משאבי אנוש ) at the Israeli General Staff is the body which coordinates and assembles activities related to
2173-427: The madei bet is in olive drab . The dress uniforms may also exhibit a surface shine The service uniform for all ground forces personnel is olive green ; navy and air force uniforms are beige / tan (also once worn by the ground forces). The uniforms consist of a two-pocket shirt, combat trousers , sweater , jacket or blouse, and shoes or boots. The navy also has an all-white dress uniform. The green fatigues are
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2226-542: The much more consequential (but falsely-claimed "first" such organization), Bar-Giora , founded in September 1907. Bar-Giora was transformed into Hashomer in April 1909, which operated until the British Mandate of Palestine came into being in 1920. Hashomer was an elitist organization with a narrow scope and was mainly created to protect against criminal gangs seeking to steal property. The Zion Mule Corps and
2279-412: The name "Israel Defense Forces" ( Hebrew : צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל ), Tzva HaHagana LeYisra'el , literally "the army for the defence of Israel," on 26 May 1948. The other main contender was Tzva Yisra'el ( Hebrew : צְבָא יִשְׂרָאֵל ). The name was chosen because it conveyed the idea that the army's role was defence and incorporated the name Haganah , the pre-state defensive organization upon which
2332-735: The new army was based. Among the primary opponents of the name were Minister Haim-Moshe Shapira and the Hatzohar party, both in favor of Tzva Yisra'el . The IDF traces its roots to Jewish paramilitary organizations in the New Yishuv , starting with the Second Aliyah (1904 to 1914). There had been several such organizations, or in part even older date, such as the "Mahane Yehuda" mounted guards company founded by Michael Halperin in 1891 (see Ness Ziona ), HaMagen (1915–17), HaNoter (1912–13; see Zionism: Pre-state self-defense ), and
2385-470: The official translations of the IDF's website. Conscripts ( Hogrim ) (Conscript ranks may be gained purely on time served) Warrant Officers ( Nagadim ) Academic officers ( Ktzinim Akadema'im ) Officers ( Ktzinim ) The Israel Defense Forces has several types of uniforms: The first two resemble each other but the Madei Alef is made of higher quality materials in a golden olive while
2438-879: The region as well as the role of the IDF. In the following years leading up to the Yom Kippur War , the IDF fought in the War of Attrition against Egypt in the Sinai and a border war against the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in Jordan , culminating in the Battle of Karameh . The surprise of the Yom Kippur War and its aftermath completely changed the IDF's procedures and approach to warfare. Organizational changes were made and more time
2491-404: The same for winter and summer and heavy winter gear is issued as needed. Women's dress parallels the men's but may substitute a skirt for trousers and a blouse for a shirt. Headgear included a service cap for dress and semi-dress and a field cap or "Kova raful" bush hat worn with fatigues. Many IDF personnel once wore the tembel as a field hat. IDF personnel generally wear berets instead of
2544-588: The service cap and there are many beret colours issued to IDF personnel. Paratroopers are issued a maroon beret, Golani brown, Givati purple, Nahal lime green, Kfir camouflage, Combat Engineers grey, navy blue for IDF Naval and dark grey for IDF Air Force personnel. In combat uniforms, the Orlite helmet has replaced the British Brodie helmet Mark II/Mark III , RAC Mk II modified helmet with chin web jump harness (used by paratroopers and similar to
2597-468: The wake of the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty and the 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty , the IDF underwent a significant strategic realignment. Previously spread across various fronts— Lebanon and Syria in the north, Jordan and Iraq in the east, and Egypt in the south—the IDF redirected its focus towards southern Lebanon and its occupation of the Palestinian territories (the Gaza Strip and
2650-624: The worst friendly-fire incident in the history of the IDF . On 4 September 1982, a four-member Palestinian squad attacked an observation post manned by eight soldiers from the Nahal brigade. All the Israeli soldiers surrendered without firing a single bullet . Israel was then forced, in two separate exchange deals, to release almost 6000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the captured Nahal soldiers. The deals were severely criticized in Israel, for being extremely "lopsided". The less than heroic behaviour of
2703-557: Was dedicated to training for conventional warfare . However, in the following years the army's role slowly shifted again to low-intensity conflict, urban warfare and counter-terrorism . An example of the latter was the successful 1976 Operation Entebbe commando raid to free hijacked airline passengers being held captive in Uganda . During this era, the IDF also mounted a successful bombing mission in Iraq to destroy its nuclear reactor. It
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#17327829587072756-593: Was involved in the Lebanese Civil War , initiating Operation Litani and later the 1982 Lebanon War , where the IDF ousted Palestinian guerrilla organizations from Lebanon . For twenty-five years the IDF maintained a security zone inside South Lebanon with their allies the South Lebanon Army . Palestinian militancy has been the main focus of the IDF ever since, especially during the First and Second Intifadas , Operation Defensive Shield ,
2809-529: Was the background for the Altalena Affair , a confrontation surrounding weapons purchased by the Irgun resulting in a standoff between Irgun members and the newly created IDF. The affair came to an end when Altalena , the ship carrying the arms, was shelled by the IDF. Following the affair, all independent Irgun and Lehi units were either disbanded or merged into the IDF. The Palmach, a leading component of
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