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 General Staff, who holds the rank of Lieutenant General and is the only active officer who does so. The chief of staff as of November 2021 is Aviv Kohavi.
The IDF was formally established in May 1948 after the creation of the Jewish State, and it encompassed the three paramilitary groups which 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, and Operation Guardian of the Walls.
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 site of the explosion in the past served as a factory of Israeli Military Industries.
Starting from June 2024, the length of service for men will be shortened gradually from 32 months, until in 2030 the average army service will be only 28 months.
The IDF is opposed to a large-scale operation right now in the West Bank, despite what Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir may call for.
Although a full scale operation seems unlikely at this stage, it may be possible that a smaller operation will be carried out in Jenin and other areas of the West Bank.
Nobody has the guts to remark upon the death-glorifying political culture of the Palestinians that repeatedly chooses violence over negotiations.
Netanyahu: "The cell has carried out several terror attacks in the past and it was about to carry out more."
Saad decided that the standing positions would be replaced by mounted patrols for only 8 hours, instead of the previous 12-hour shifts, contrary to the instructions.
The home of the other terrorist involved in the shooting, Osama Tawil, was destroyed last week, leading to violent clashes.
The simplistic world of moral equivalence makes life easy: something bad happens, two sides are involved, so they both must be equally responsible. That's not reality.
IDF Col. Amit Guy talks the changes he has made to the IDF’s Artillery/Firepower Military Academy in an interview with the Jerusalem Post.
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