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.
Hezbollah said the same day that it carried out a drone attack on an Israeli military position near the northern Israeli town.
Hamas releases propaganda video • Rockets fired at Israel following Rafah op • Son of Hamas leader warns ceasefire is a 'trap'
To preach to Israel about civilian deaths is hypocritical - the US should know better, given its track record.
The Prime Minister's Office said earlier on Monday night that the War Cabinet had agreed to continue with Israel's planned Rafah operation.
"I was given the privilege to take part in commemorating the memory and heroism of our brothers and sisters who were murdered in the Holocaust," Herman said.
If the question is "Did Israel radically improve its security situation vis a vis Hamas compared to all prior rounds of conflict," the answer is unquestionably yes, and then some.
The IDF stated that soldiers had killed a terrorist, destroyed an explosives manufacturing factory, and discovered an additional factory and a Kalashnikov rifle in the overnight raid.
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a 30-minute phone conversation following the evacuation of Palestinians from Rafah.
The new humanitarian zone includes field hospitals, tents, and increased provisions of food, water, medicine, and other supplies.
The IDF intercepted a drone headed towards Israel "from the east" overnight.