The Golani brigade's battalions 51 and 13 faced the brunt of the Hamas attack on October 7 in many sectors along the Gaza border. The two battalions also suffered heavy casualties among the more than 300 IDF soldiers killed on the first day of battle. Now the battalions are training and preparing for the next step. An announcement from the IDF described the brigade as moving from defense to preparation for offensive operations. "We will train, prepare and study the enemy - that's the only way we will win,” the announcement noted.
The two battalions, the 13th and Battalion 51st were holding the line on October 7 along much of the Gaza border. “The forces fought hard and stubborn battles against hundreds of terrorists in the Kissufim and Nahal Oz sectors,” the IDF said in a statement. “The battalions, which suffered many losses, are currently undergoing in-depth training and extensive training for the next phase of combat.”
These 19 days have certainly been tough on the unit. Moving from the unprecedented losses of October 7, and seeing the aftermath of the massacre when they helped liberate communities along the border, to preparing for the next phase. Throughout Israel, the 300,000 reservists who have been called up have been preparing. For instance, Givati, another infantry brigade, has also been doing refresher courses on urban combat.
"The heroism of the fallen of the 13th Battalion accompanies us in every step we take"
Lt. Col. Tomer Greenberg
"The heroism of the fallen of the 13th Battalion accompanies us in every step we take,” said commander of the 13th Battalion, Lt. Col. Tomer Greenberg. He said the unit is preparing for the next step in Gaza with tough training. They will “fight and win.” This is the motto across Israel. The whole country is draped in flags and preparing for victory. “This time, we are the ones who will be surprised. We will arrive with intense concentration, with all the advanced capabilities and the high standard of the battalion, and we will be the ones who win,” the battalion commander said.
The commander of the 51st had similar sentiments. Lt. Col. Meir Ohayon described how, three weeks have almost passed “since that murderous Saturday when the battalion fought, repulsed and did its best to fulfill the mission. In that hour of testing, the battalion's fighters demonstrated extraordinary courage and fighting spirit.”
He said that the unit is using every minute they have to train and prepare. “We don't forget our values, we are in the battle for our house. There will be a maneuver, and when it arrives, we will win,” he said. The “fight for the house” has become another slogan in Israel, describing this war as existential, similar to 1948.The two Golani battalions have been described by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as fighting like lions on the first day of the battle against overwhelming odds. Battalions are usually made up of several companies of soldiers, several hundred fighting men. On October 7, along with other units on the border, they faced up to 2,900 attackers from Gaza who came in several waves and attack 29 points along the border, seeking to destroy 20 Israeli communities.
These battalions were on the line when the battle began, and now, instead of retiring to rest and recuperate, they are preparing to be part of the tip of the spear when Israel decides to finally make the next move.