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.
Every day in Israel is Independence and Remembrance Day, and we can never forget the sacrifices made by so many to establish the country and bring it to the great heights it achieved.
This month, Israel observes Holocaust Remembrance Day and Remembrance Day, mourning Holocaust victims and fallen heroes like Oz Daniel, who was killed on Oct. 7 and abducted to Gaza.
Hamas uses UN facilities for cover • US denies it withheld information about Hamas leaders' whereabouts • IDF kills Hamas terrorists in UNRWA school
On Saturday night, the IDF launched an operation in the Jabalya area due to intelligence that Hamas was reorganizing in the area.
Photos published by Palestinian media showed a UN vehicle with damage to several windows.
"If we want to defeat Hamas, we have to defeat Hamas in Rafah, just like we did in the rest of the Gaza Strip," he said.
Four soldiers were rushed to the hospital for treatment for wounds caused by missile fire from Lebanon.
What is at stake, Netanyahu said, is Israel’s “existence, liberty, security and prosperity.”
The defense minister asked that the weapon be designed to fight effectively against terrorist organizations according to combat scenarios in ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip.
This year's "We Are One" ceremony reflected the organization's collective mourning and resilience.
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