Israel Defense Forces

The Israel Defense Forces, alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal (צה״ל), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security apparatus. The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff, who is subordinate to the Israeli Defense Minister.
israel-defense-forces

Some of the key events about Israel Defense Forces

  • 1948
    Successfully defended Israel during the War of Independence
  • 1948
    Forcibly expelled hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homes during the Arab-Israeli War.
  • 1956
    Secured the Sinai Peninsula and Suez Canal during the Suez Crisis
  • 1956
    Killed dozens of civilians in the village of Kafr Qasim for violating a curfew they were unaware of.
  • 1967
    Achieved a decisive victory in the Six-Day War, significantly expanding Israel's territory
  • 1967
    Attacked the USS Liberty, a US Navy ship, killing 34 crew members in a controversial incident.
  • 1976
    Conducted a successful hostage rescue operation at Entebbe Airport in Uganda
  • 1979
    Assisted in the implementation of the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty
  • 1982
    Allowed Lebanese Christian militias to massacre hundreds of Palestinian civilians in Sabra and Shatila refugee camps.
  • 1988
    Used excessive force against Palestinian protesters during the First Intifada, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
  • 1991
    Deployed the Iron Dome missile defense system to protect civilians from rocket attacks
  • 2002
    Conducted a military operation in Jenin refugee camp, causing widespread destruction and civilian deaths.
  • 2005
    Completed the unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip
  • 2006
    Launched airstrikes on Lebanon, resulting in significant civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.
  • 2008
    Initiated Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, leading to over 1,000 Palestinian civilian deaths.
  • 2010
    Provided humanitarian aid and rescue efforts following the Haiti earthquake
  • 2013
    Established a field hospital on the Syrian border to treat wounded civilians
  • 2014
    Conducted Operation Protective Edge in Gaza, resulting in over 2,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly civilians.
  • 2018
    Used live ammunition against protesters at the Gaza border, killing dozens and injuring thousands.
  • 2020
    Facilitated COVID-19 vaccine distribution and assisted in pandemic response efforts

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.

Israel Defense Forces Latest news

Breaking news: Israel enters Syria as Netanyahu faces court and Lula gets surgery

Breaking news: Israel enters Syria as Netanyahu faces court and Lula gets surgery

Israeli forces launched hundreds of strikes in Syria after regime change while Netanyahu testified in corruption case. Meanwhile Brazilian president Lula underwent emergency brain operation after fall-related issues

Society, Politics • December 11 2024 , 06:24 AM  •  1630 views
Israeli forces shake Syria while Netanyahu faces historic court appearance

Israeli forces shake Syria while Netanyahu faces historic court appearance

Israeli military conducts massive operations in Syria following recent political changes. Meanwhile **Benjamin Netanyahu** enters courtroom as first-ever sitting PM to testify in corruption case

Society, Politics • December 11 2024 , 01:14 AM  •  3351 views
Israeli air force makes unexpected moves in Syrian territory

Israeli air force makes unexpected moves in Syrian territory

Israeli military conducted wide-spread air operations across Syrian regions targeting weapon stockpiles. This marks their first combined air-and-ground mission in Syrian lands since the 70s

Society, Politics • December 10 2024 , 09:44 PM  •  1301 views
Israel enters Syria as rebels gain control over Damascus

Israel enters Syria as rebels gain control over Damascus

Israeli forces moved into southern Syria after rebels captured Damascus in a surprise victory. Arab nations strongly opposed this first Israeli cross-border operation since the mid-70s

Society, Politics • December 9 2024 , 07:33 PM  •  687 views
Breaking news: First shots fired at disputed border zone since recent truce

Breaking news: First shots fired at disputed border zone since recent truce

Military reports incoming fire at three-country meeting point near Mount Dov. Lebanese side points to multiple earlier incidents while no-one got hurt in latest border exchange

Society, Politics • December 2 2024 , 03:43 PM  •  1794 views
Fresh military action near Syria border puts new peace deal at risk

Fresh military action near Syria border puts new peace deal at risk

Israeli forces hit targets close to Syria-Lebanon crossing points just days after reaching new agreement. Both sides point fingers at each-other for breaking newly-established rules

Society, Politics • November 30 2024 , 01:21 PM  •  6504 views
Israeli jets target weapon routes near Syrian-Lebanese border after new peace deal

Israeli jets target weapon routes near Syrian-Lebanese border after new peace deal

Israeli military conducted air-strikes on weapon transport routes between Syria and Lebanon just days after peace agreement. The operation came as response to alleged ceasefire violations in the region

Politics • November 30 2024 , 10:44 AM  •  2970 views
Breaking: Armed attack near West Bank settlement leads to multiple injuries

Breaking: Armed attack near West Bank settlement leads to multiple injuries

A shooting incident near Ariel settlement resulted in eight wounded passengers on an Israeli bus. Israeli forces responded to the attack while Hamas later confirmed the shooters connection to their group

Society, Politics • November 29 2024 , 11:51 PM  •  2161 views
US-made weapon found in deadly Lebanon media crew strike, report finds

US-made weapon found in deadly Lebanon media crew strike, report finds

Investigation shows precision-guided US equipment was used in strike that killed three media workers in Lebanon. Report suggests attack broke international laws

Society, Politics • November 25 2024 , 12:28 PM  •  3652 views
Latest middle-east clash: Tel Aviv hit by rockets after deadly Beirut strike

Latest middle-east clash: Tel Aviv hit by rockets after deadly Beirut strike

Heavy rocket-fire hit Tel Aviv area after Israeli strike in Beirut left dozens dead. US-backed peace talks show progress while EU offers support to Lebanonʼs military forces

Society, Politics • November 24 2024 , 08:44 PM  •  4441 views
Large building in Lebanon's capital destroyed as peace talks continue

Large building in Lebanon's capital destroyed as peace talks continue

US-made precision bomb hit an 11-story structure in Beiruts residential area while officials discussed peace options. Israeli forces targeted the area known for militant presence

Society, Politics • November 16 2024 , 12:06 AM  •  2164 views
Massive explosion rocks Beirut as peace talks hang in balance

Massive explosion rocks Beirut as peace talks hang in balance

A huge guided bomb hit an apartment building in Beirutʼs Tayouneh district while officials looked at peace plans. Israeli forces say they target militant spots in cityʼs south

Society, Politics • November 16 2024 , 12:02 AM  •  1167 views
UN observers spot mysterious construction at sensitive Middle East border

UN observers spot mysterious construction at sensitive Middle East border

UN peacekeepers point out issues with Israeli building work near Syrian border. Recent satellite photos show large-scale activity along the disputed Alpha Line boundary

Society, Politics • November 12 2024 , 02:31 PM  •  764 views
Night strike on Lebanon apartment block leaves dozens dead in Barja town

Night strike on Lebanon apartment block leaves dozens dead in Barja town

Israeli air-strike hit residential building in Lebanese town of Barja during night hours. Local civil defense teams found multiple casualties while searching through destroyed structure

Society, Politics • November 6 2024 , 12:00 PM  •  284 views
Israel's unique missile tech draws attention after successful Iranian strikes

Israel's unique missile tech draws attention after successful Iranian strikes

Israel demonstrates effective use of air-launched ballistic missiles against Iranian facilities. This rare weapon system‚ used by only three countries worldwide shows promise in modern warfare

Politics, Science • November 4 2024 , 02:36 PM  •  2248 views
Northern Gaza tragedy: Dozens of young lives lost as shelters hit

Northern Gaza tragedy: Dozens of young lives lost as shelters hit

Recent strikes on shelter buildings in northern Gaza led to tragic outcomes for local children. UNICEF reports severe risks to populationʼs survival due to multiple factors

Society, Politics • November 3 2024 , 06:21 AM  •  1464 views
Israel adjusts safety rules near Lebanon border as regional situation shifts

Israel adjusts safety rules near Lebanon border as regional situation shifts

Israeli military makes changes to its defense guidelines in northern regions while easing some public gathering limits. Updates come after year-long exchanges with Hezbollah forces

Society, Politics • November 3 2024 , 03:46 AM  •  1266 views
Hidden cost: Lebanese border towns face massive building losses after conflict

Hidden cost: Lebanese border towns face massive building losses after conflict

Latest data shows unexpected scale of destruction in Lebanese municipalities near Israeli border where thousands of buildings got damaged. Military operations changed local landscape forever

Society, Politics • October 31 2024 , 08:33 PM  •  4459 views
Latest cross-border strike in Israel takes heaviest toll in recent weeks

Latest cross-border strike in Israel takes heaviest toll in recent weeks

Attack from Lebanon hits northern Israel causing multiple casualties including foreign workers. Strike becomes most significant since Israeli forces moved into Lebanese territory this month

Society, Politics • October 31 2024 , 12:08 PM  •  1218 views
Single doctor left after military search ends at Gaza hospital

Single doctor left after military search ends at Gaza hospital

Israeli military finished search-operation at north Gazaʼs Kamal Adwan Hospital stating they found enemy base there. Multiple medical staff got detained while one pediatrician stays to help patients

Society, Politics • October 28 2024 , 11:28 AM  •  1491 views