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.
IDF personnel cleared military equipment from over 40 communities in northern Israel that were used as military assembly points.
The ‘Magazine’ visits Camp Shura, where the IDF Rabbinate helped identify and prepare more than 1,000 people for burial in the wake of Oct. 7.
"The Post" analyzes claims made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a comprehensive interview with "The Wall Street Journal."
The official named the presence of Israeli troops in the Philadelphi Corridor as an issue that was yet to be resolved in negotiations.
The fact that armed men seem to have taken over a health center and the UN didn’t do anything illustrates the ‘Gazafication’ of Jenin.
The military added that the terrorists had used the area to carry out terror activities against IDF troops and the State of Israel.
If Turkey decides to arm the rebel forces, it is unclear how Israel will respond and whether it will be able to thwart the transfer of American-backed weapons.
Initially, reports attributed the attack to Israel but then shifted to the US.
The IDF had earlier confirmed that Nimrod was alive, and the brigade commander called to apologize following the incident.
Recent strikes into central Israel hint that Iran has refined its attack strategy, leveraging both direct launches and supplying missiles to Yemen's Houthis.
JPOST Digital Library
