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.
The forum's statement cites a position paper that concludes that the resumption of the fighting threatens the safety of the hostages still alive and increases the difficulty of recovering the dead.
While at its core, this is a disagreement over authority, the context of a lack of a professional and proper investigation into the failures of October 7 is the fire fueling this debate.
The IDF said five Divisions were engaged, 670 targets were hit, and reports of 200 dead civilians may be correct.
Escalating the battle after 19 months of fighting, punctuated with a short ceasefire, is first and foremost an admission of failure.
Vance reportedly to visit Israel • Hamas offers to release half of the hostages • Sirens sound for Houthi missile
Nissim Salem survived three years in Syrian captivity by holding onto hope. Forty years after release, he recalls captivity as Tzvi Feldman’s body returns home.
On Saturday morning, the IDF located and arrested several suspects who were connected to the attack.
During their operation, the IDF soldiers killed dozens of terrorists and destroyed multiple sites used by Hamas.
Strikes attributed to Israel were also reported in the Yarin area near Tyre.
Several arrested in connection to West Bank attack on pregnant woman • IDF kills Hezbollah operative in Lebanon • Trump admin. considers moving Gazans to Libya
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