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 Eyal Zamir.
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.
Sgt. Michalovich was killed, and eight were wounded in a series of incidents in the Shujaiya neighborhood in eastern Gaza City that began at around 9:00 a.m., according to Army Radio.
This is the first time that no community in the Gaza border area is under a closed military zone order.
All seven were soldiers in the 605th Combat Engineering Battalion of the 188th Brigade.
The larger issue is surrounding the tensions on the lack of a law that would exempt eligible ultra-Orthodox (haredi) men from getting drafted.
The military said they received intelligence from interrogations in recent weeks, leading soldiers to carry out nighttime operations and arrest several terrorists.
The lack of a coherent strategic vision is steadily eroding Israel's gains, which can only be preserved through diplomacy.
Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer informed US envoy Steve Witkoff that Israel has accepted the proposal for a ceasefire and hostage deal and is ready to begin close talks with Hamas.
Israel should promote the expansion of the Abraham Accords as the foundation for the new regional order in the Middle East and declare Arab countries as Gaza's future administrators.
When music turned to menace: Glastonbury 2025 became a stage for antisemitic incitement.
With Iran's nuclear threat growing, Lieberman demands fixed defense funding and criticizes Gaza aid as weakening Israeli security.
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