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.
The IDF said it had intercepted one rocket while an additional rocket had crashed in an open area.
In a video of the event, the 18-year-old worker can be seen cursing at the soldiers in Arabic and forcefully throwing things at them with the intent to harm a soldier filming the incident.
Hezbollah vows action post-ceasefire if Israel remains in southern Lebanon while warning Lebanese parties not to assist the IDF.
The recordings came as part of a Shin Bet yearly report on counter-terrorism operations over 2024.
The Shin Bet 2024 report's unprecedented figures: over 2,500 Gazans were evaluated, 1,350 arrested, and 650 were questioned for countering terror and locating hostages.
Anas Muhammad Saadi Masri had been actively commanding rocket fire from northern Gaza into Israeli border communities since Oct.7 2023.
John Spencer, an international expert on urban warfare, reveals Hamas's military exploitation of Gaza's healthcare system and the IDF's innovative response.
The first-of-its-kind program offers lone soldiers shared living with pre-military academy students, providing comprehensive support and community throughout their service.
IDF kills PIJ rocket commander • IDF kills dozens of Hamas terrorists in Jabalya• Military confirms sensitive covert op in Syria from September
After declaring Jabalya nearly cleared, IDF kills dozens of Hamas members.
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