The IDF, or, Israel Defense Forces, is the national military force of the State of Israel and consists of the Israeli Ground Force, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy.
The IDF is headed by the Chief of Staff, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General and is the only active officer who does so. The current chief of staff is Herzi Halevi.
The IDF was formally established in May 1948 after the creation of the Jewish State, and it encompassed the three paramilitary groups that existed prior to the state - the Hagana, the Irgun, and the Stern Gang (Lehi).
Since the formation of the IDF, it has participated in six major wars including the War of Independence, the Six Day War, the Sinai War, the Yom Kippur War, and the first and second Lebanon Wars. Other operations include Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense, Operation Protective Edge, Operation Guardian of the Walls, and Operation Swords of Iron.
Conscription to the IDF is mandatory for both men and women over the age of 18, with women in non-combat positions serving for two years, and women in combat positions, and men, regardless of position, have a mandatory service of two years and eight months.
In addition to regular military duties and activities, the IDF responds to national emergencies or crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides personnel to carry out work alongside the civilian population.
Hezbollah’s new leader, Naim Qassem, signals readiness for a long conflict, threatening Tel Aviv in response to Israeli strikes.
Brigade Commander Col. Yaniv Barot described the ongoing operations as the most important task they’ll do in their lifetimes.
Sergeant Kehati, 20, from Nir Banim, served in the 13th Battalion in the Golani Brigade.
The combination of falsely accusing Israel of war crimes and ignoring the 1949 Geneva Convention’s prohibition on using civilians and civilian infrastructure for war highlights HRW’s hypocrisy.
ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant for Gaza 'war crimes' • Katz imposes economic sanctions on Hezbollah
802 IDF soldiers have died since October 7 • Hezbollah fires fewer rockets
IDF soldier killed, two wounded in same incident • Ze'ev Erlich, 70, entered Lebanon with forces without authorization from Northern Command
Ben Ami, 22, from Jerusalem, was a solder in the IDF's Maglan's Reservist Unit in the Commando Brigade.
Only 37% of Jewish Israelis believe the government's war decisions are based on professional considerations, while trust in the IDF remains high at 85%.
Gallant made this statement in response to discussions about distributing food to Palestinian residents of Gaza by private companies under the IDF's security.
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