The Israeli army announced the death of Asaf Hamami, the commander of the Southern Brigade in the Gaza Division. According to the Israeli army's statement, Hamami was killed during combat on October 7, and his body was transferred to the Gaza Strip by the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Israel has mobilized a large number of armored forces within the Gaza Strip and its surroundings, as noted in a study by the Institute for Global Security and Defense Affairs. This assembly included three armored divisions and an air assault division. Additionally, Tel Aviv called up six different armored and mechanized infantry brigades to ensure the capability to conduct a large-scale military operation against Palestinian factions and to impose control over the Gaza Strip, along with clearing paths for the forces from mines. The study observed the deployment of the independent "Brigade 460," the "Brigade 205" from the 146th Armored Division, as well as the "Brigade 474," which is a mechanized brigade belonging to the 210th Mechanized Division, and the 11th Mechanized Infantry Brigade supported by armored vehicles, especially of the "Tiger" model, belonging to the Israeli 99th Mechanized Division.
In terms of infantry forces, the army mobilized the independent Brigade 838, in addition to a mixed brigade specialized in search and rescue, which consists of four battalions: "498 Shahar" (conscripts), "489" known as "Kidad" Battalion, "894 Tafor," and finally the "668" Battalion known as "Ram Battalion," which previously operated on the Egyptian and Jordanian borders and in the West Bank. The Israeli army comprises more than 646,000 soldiers, of whom 173,000 are currently serving, while about 464,000 are in the reserves.
Amidst the Israeli army’s attempts to penetrate Gaza and control the Strip through a ground operation, there is significant emphasis on the Israeli ground forces, due to their critical role in this operation. Israeli ground forces occupy the primary and essential position within the Israeli army as they represent its most vital component, receiving substantial budget allocations annually, as well as housing the majority of soldiers and officers, comprising nearly half a million soldiers, a significant percentage of whom are reserve forces. The Israeli army heavily relies on ground forces, referred to as "Zroa Yabasha" which means " arm of the land" in Hebrew, as they take on many difficult tasks that require tactics that other military branches of the Israeli army, such as the air and naval forces, cannot perform.
### History of the Establishment of Israeli Ground Forces
Before the establishment of the State of Israel, Zionist organizations relied heavily on armed Jewish militias, which received extensive military training from the British army during their occupation of Palestinian territories from September 29, 1922, to November 29, 1947. The "Haganah" organization was at the forefront of these groups, forming the cornerstone of ground forces within the Israeli army due to its considerable military strength, along with its members, whose numbers reached tens of thousands. After the outbreak of the 1948 war between Arabs and Israelis, more than 45,000 volunteer Jewish fighters from around the world, especially from Europe, America, and Canada, joined it.
Alongside the "Haganah" organization, the "Bar Giora" organization, established in the early twentieth century in 1907 by some of the early settlers in Palestine, also contributed to the establishment of ground forces within the Israeli army. Initially, its mission was limited to protecting Jewish settlements from resistance operations launched by Palestinian factions, before it allied with the "Hashomer" organization, and their members integrated together. Other armed militias like the "Jewish Brigade," "Stern," and "Irgun" also played a role.
Despite the opposition of some leaders of these armed Jewish organizations to join the ranks of the Israeli army, leaders of some of these Zionist military groups succeeded in forming the "National Army," which was later named the Israeli army, on May 26, 1948, by decision of David Ben-Gurion, the Minister of Defense and Prime Minister of the provisional government at that time. These armed organizations played a significant role in the establishment of Israeli ground forces.
### Corps of the Israeli Ground Forces
The Israeli ground forces are divided into five main corps, with each corps comprising many brigades, which in turn are divided into battalions and units. These corps are sequentially subordinate to the Israeli Ministry of Defense.
#### Infantry Corps of the Israeli Army
The infantry corps of the Israeli army is the most prominent section within the Israeli ground forces, as the Hebrew Ministry of Defense attaches utmost importance to its significant role in various battles fought by this army since its establishment in 1948 until now. The infantry corps can be divided as follows:
- **Nahal Brigade:** Founded in 1982 during the so-called "Lebanon War," this elite brigade was established out of military necessity and was its first real test. The brigade also participated in many of the Israeli army's battles during the Lebanon Wars of 1982 and 2006, as well as during the first and second Palestinian intifadas and various wars waged by Israel on Gaza.
- **Kfir Brigade:** Known as "Brigade No. 900," this brigade comprises six main battalions, including battalions number 90, 92, 93, 94, and 96. Since its establishment on December 6, 2005, Kfir Brigade has been primarily responsible for harsh treatment of Palestinians in the West Bank and inside the occupied territories, executing over 70% of the total arrest operations conducted by Israeli forces in the occupied West Bank.
- **Golani Brigade:** Located in the Galilee area, this brigade, also known as Brigade No. 1, is categorized as an elite brigade within the Israeli infantry. It was established on February 22, 1948, by Israeli Prime Minister and Minister of Defense David Ben-Gurion. Golani Brigade has participated in many battles since its formation, notably in the Tripartite Aggression against Egypt in 1956, occupying the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights in the 1967 War. Most members of this brigade come from ultra-Orthodox religious schools in Israel.
- **Paratroopers Brigade:** Also known as Brigade No. 35, this brigade is one of the most significant infantry brigades within the Israeli ground forces. Formed in 1955, its purpose was to develop combat skills within the Israeli army. Members undergo rigorous military training, including physical fitness and combat skills, as well as parachuting and urban warfare training. The brigade's symbol resembles a flying snake.
- **Oz Brigade:** Referred to as Brigade No. 89, and established on December 27, 2015, this brigade specializes entirely in special operations and is nicknamed the "Commando Brigade" as it closely resembles the "75th Ranger Regiment" in the US Army. The Oz Brigade consists of three units: Maglan Unit (212), Duvdevan Unit (217), and Egoz Unit (621).
- **Givati Brigade:** Formed in December 1947 and dissolved in 1956, it was reestablished in 1983 and has been under the command of the military leadership in the southern region since 1999. It includes 10 battalions and companies, notably the Tsabar Battalion (the extremist battalion) and Dekel Company. It is known by different names, including Brigade 84 (its number in the Israeli army) or the Purple Brigade, due to the color of its berets, and the Fox Brigade due to the red fox imagery in its official insignia.
- **Besalama Brigade:** Unlike other brigades within the Israeli infantry, which specialize in combat operations, Besalama Brigade (Brigade No. 828) primarily focuses on training its members, particularly during wars and emergencies, though it sometimes participates in combat. This brigade is known for being the first to enforce boundaries with the Gaza Strip since its liberation in 2005. It consists of three active battalions (Battalion 17, Battalion 906, and Battalion 450).
#### Armored Corps of the Occupying Israeli Army
The armored corps is considered the main maneuvering force within the Israeli ground forces, always leading the front lines in battle. It includes the following brigades:
- **Barak Armored Brigade:** Known by several names, including "Lightning" and Armored Brigade 188. This brigade has actively participated in numerous wars since its formation, beginning with the 1967 War and including the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the Golan War.
- **7th Armored Brigade:** Also referred to as "Golan Storm." It is regarded as the first armored brigade in the Israeli army and the only one that has participated in all wars fought by Israel.
- **401st Armored Brigade:** Known as "Ikvot HaBarzel," which means "Paths of Iron," this brigade was established to occupy the Suez Canal in 1968. It suffered significant losses from the Egyptian army during the Yom Kippur War, as well as at the Battle of Sultan Yaqub against the Syrian army and in the Lebanon War of 1982.
- **460th Armored Brigade:** Known as "Bnei Or," meaning "Sons of Light" in Hebrew, this brigade is dedicated to training within the armored corps.
#### Artillery Corps of the Israeli Army
This corps is responsible for operating long-range and medium artillery. Its primary purpose is to destroy enemy targets and positions in various operational areas of the army, as well as to support maneuvering forces at specified times and locations through suitable artillery power.
#### Combat Engineering Corps
This essential corps within the ground forces of the Israeli army operates along enemy lines, including planting mines and defusing them, breaking barriers, and constructing fortifications.
#### Combat Intelligence Corps
Previously known as the Field Intelligence Corps, this is the newest corps within the Israeli army's ground forces, established in April 2000.
