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.
Netanyahu thanked Halevi for his many years of service and his command of the IDF in the war.
Eyal Zamir, a former deputy IDF chief who came in second place to Halevi during the last race for IDF chief, is Netanyahu's favored candidate.
Halevi's resignation in keeping with promise to take responsibility for October 7 • OC Southern Command Yaron Finkleman follows suit
Palestinian Authority security forces exited the area following a month-long operation of its own against local Palestinian terror groups.
Released Israeli hostages speak of horrors in captivity, last day before release • Noa Argamani, hostage families brought on stage at Trump's presidential parade
Bluth said that from an initial probe, dozens of extremist Jewish-Israelis with facemasks attacked Funduk by perpetrating arson against Palestinian property in the village.
The Jerusalem Post understands that the wounded officer was the commander of Battalion 8211 from the Efraim Brigade in the northern West Bank.
Alian served as the chief of the Golani Brigade during the 2014 Operation Protective Edge when Shaul's body was kidnapped.
90 Palestinian security prisoners released, IDF deploys reinforcements across West Bank
Released hostages appearing with distinctive braids have drawn attention to the female IDF soldiers still in captivity, who reportedly style the hair of those being freed while remaining behind.
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