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.
"Dina d’malchuta dina (“the law of the land is the law”) requires Jews to obey the statutes of a legally constituted government, such as Israeli law mandating conscription into the IDF."
The selection process began rather quickly following current IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi's announcement to resign last week.
One of the associated hotlines actively works to intervene in cases of arrested draft dodgers.
Saturday’s exchange is the second since a ceasefire began on January 19, and Hamas handed over three Israeli female civilians in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners.
Civilian hostage Arbel Yehoud among six to be released this week • Israel will allow returns of Gazans to north
"It is critical that the ceasefire implementation continues and that all of the hostages are freed from Hamas captivity and safely returned to their families," the US State Department said.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that a two-year-old toddler was killed by IDF fire.
The delivery was frozen by the Biden administration in May due to the Israeli operation in Rafah.
The IDF announced a new multi-agency center for managing the ceasefire and ongoing prisoner release.
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