Divisions As a Soldier During The Gaza War Today

 Nadene Goldfoot                                              

5 Divisions (Ugda) -task force in Hebrew for specific operations or during war  were sent into Gaza.  A division is the largest group from 10,000 to 15,000 soldiers.  There must be about 50,000 IDF in Gaza today.  Here's a breakdown of the IDF's divisions, including maneuvering and regional divisions: They usually are made up of 10,000-15,000 soldiers.  This number can fluctuate depending on the specific brigades and support units attached to the division for a given operation. 

They are divided into Brigades made up of about 3,000 soldiers

1. Maneuvering Divisions:

• These divisions are formed for military operations requiring large-scale maneuver capabilities.The composition of these divisions can vary depending on the specific mission and operational needs.Example: During the 2014 Gaza War, the IDF deployed three maneuvering divisions. 
• 2. Regional Divisions:

• These divisions are responsible for specific geographic areas within Israel, including the North, Central, South, Gaza, and the West Bank.Regional divisions are essentially skeleton divisions, meaning they maintain command structures and operational elements, but often rely on brigades and battalions temporarily assigned from other units.They are responsible for area security, infrastructure, and logistics within their designated region. 
• Examples of Divisions and Brigades within the IDF (from public information):

• 36th Division: Can be composed of brigades like the 1st "Golani" Infantry Brigade, armored brigades, and artillery brigades.98th Division: Can be composed of regular and reserve infantry and artillery brigades.99th Infantry Division: Comprises various infantry, armored, paratrooper, and logistic brigades, both regular and reserve.162nd Division: In May 2025, was reported to be operating in Gaza with the 401st Armored Brigade and Givati Infantry Brigade, among other units. 
• Important Notes:

• The IDF emphasizes a flexible and mission-tailored approach to its division and brigade structures.Brigades are often complex combined-arms task forces with elements from various units, not just from within a single brigade.The IDF's division and brigade structure is subject to change based on operational needs and evolving security challenges.The number of active IDF divisions fluctuates. Public information suggests there are currently seven, similar to the number during the 1973 Yom Kippur War. 
• In Summary: 
• The IDF's divisions are operational groupings of brigades, both regular and reserve, formed for specific missions or regional responsibilities, with a flexible structure adapting to the evolving needs of the Israeli military. 
• In the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a brigade (Hativa of 3,000 ) is typically divided into several battalions-300-1,000 soldiers (Gdud). 
  Here's a more detailed breakdown:
  • Division:  10,000-15,000 soldiers (5 Divisions sent into Gaza now by Israel) to end the Gaza war
  • 
    
  • Brigade: A brigade is a tactical-level military formation, usually commanded by a colonel, and typically consists of 3,000 to 5,000 soldiers. In essence, a brigade in the IDF serves as an organizational structure that brings together a group of battalions and supporting units, enabling them to operate together as a cohesive fighting force. 
  • Battalions:700 soldiers;  These are the primary combat units within a brigade, each generally commanded by a lieutenant colonel and ranging in size from around 300 to 1,000 soldiers, depending on the type of battalion and its function (e.g., infantry, armor). A brigade typically has a few battalions assigned to it.  Additional Units: Besides battalions, a brigade may also have other support units assigned to it, such as reconnaissance companies (Sayeret), signals companies, and logistics units. An Israel Defense Forces (IDF) battalion is typically divided into several companies, which are then further divided into platoons, and finally into squads or teams. Here's a breakdown of the typical structure of an IDF battalion:
  • 1. Battalion:
    • The main tactical unit, typically commanded by a Lieutenant Colonel.
    • Composed of several companies and support elements, with a total strength that can range from 700 to 1,000 soldiers.
    • Capable of conducting independent operations of limited scope and duration. 
    2. Company:The size of a company within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) can vary, but it generally consists of 100-250 soldiers. A smaller tactical unit, typically commanded by a Captain.  Composed of three to four platoons, and can have anywhere from a few dozen (24) to 200 soldiers.Can perform a battlefield function on its own. 
  • 3. Platoon:  A smaller unit within a company, typically commanded by a Lieutenant.  Composed of 2-3 squads, and typically consists of 20-40 soldiers, or 3-4 tanks in the Armored Corps.

            4.  Squad: In the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the size of a squad (known as a "Kita" in Hebrew) and its leadership can vary depending on the specific unit, mission, and operational context, but here's a general overview: 1. Squad Size and Structure:  Typical Size: An IDF squad generally comprises 6-21 soldiers, though the specific number can fluctuate, especially in elite or special forces units.  Sub-Units: Squads may be further divided into smaller sub-units called "teams" (Tzvatim) or "classes" (Kitot), each with its own leader. 2. Leadership:  Squad Leader (Mashak Kita): A Staff Sergeant (Samal Rishon) usually leads an IDF squad.

Several Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) units have gained fame for their accomplishments and operational capabilities. Here are some of the most well-known: Tier One Units (often considered the most elite):

• Sayeret Matkal (General Staff Reconnaissance Unit 269): This is arguably the most famous and respected elite commando unit, specializing in deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines, intelligence gathering, and hostage rescue missions both within and outside Israel.
  
  
  
• Benjamin Netanyahu served in Sayeret Matkal, a special forces unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). He served there for five years after training as a combat soldier. 
•  They are often compared to the U.S. Delta Force and the British SAS.– the IDF's principal Sayeret unit, is used mainly to obtain strategic intelligence behind enemy lines and to perform hostage-rescue missions on foreign soil. It is directly subordinate to the Israeli Military Intelligence Directorate (AMAN).  It's not a squad or a platoon.  An IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Tier One unit is a highly specialized and elite special forces unit, considered the best of the best within the IDF, responsible for carrying out complex and critical missions. Here's a breakdown of what characterizes an IDF Tier One unit:
  1. Elite Status & Stringent Selection:Tier One units are the most elite and prestigious within the IDF, often recruiting from other already elite special forces units.The selection process is extremely rigorous and demanding, designed to identify candidates with exceptional physical and mental capabilities, resilience, and teamwork skills. 
• Shayetet 13 (Flotilla 13): The naval commando unit, comparable to the U.S. Navy SEALs, specializing in sea-to-land incursions, maritime counter-terrorism, sabotage, and maritime hostage rescue.
• Shaldag (Unit 5101): The elite commando unit of the Israeli Air Force, specializing in forward air control, aerial and special reconnaissance, and target designation outside of Israel's borders.
• Unit 669: The Air Force's tactical combat search and rescue unit, responsible for the extraction and medical treatment of injured personnel, including soldiers, pilots, and civilians. 

What do soldiers do in order to exist in a combat zone?  Follow rules:               

•  In a military setting, soldiers use a variety of options for using the bathroom, including porta-johns, latrines, or makeshift solutions like slit trenches and cat holes. During operations and training, soldiers may also utilize portaloos or Disposa-Johns.  During Roman days, each soldier was given a small shovel to carry.  Like cats, 
• they could cover their business.  Hygiene is not a civilian luxury. Napoleon's Grand Army was decimated by disease, specifically typhus, dysentery, and diphtheria in Russia. Bad hygiene invites disease and can directly impact readiness and effectiveness in combat. Soldier hygiene has considerably improved since that time, with the development of hygiene and technological progress, but there remains a lot of work to do.

• Resource:
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/99th_Infantry_Division_%28Israel%29

Judea and Samaria and Their Size and Development

 Nadene Goldfoot                                                

In about the year 30 CE, note where Jerusalem sits in Judea.  Then, Judea was much larger.  It was where the tribe of Judah as told to live by Moses and Joshua. They had arrived in Canaan with 76,500 population, the largest of the 12 tribes. (Numbers ch.26)   All 12 tribe of Jacob lived in the same area which was later called Israel (for Jacob's name had changed to Israel).  Jacob was from the family of Moses's brother, Aaron, so were followers of the Laws of Moses that came to be called Judaism.  

Rhode Island and Delaware each are close to the size of Judea/Samaria.  Israel, per se-not counting Judea/Samaria is the blue on the map.  80% of the Promised Jewish land was given away quickly to King Abdullah by Great Britain.  Then it was renamed as The West Bank (bank of the River, Jordan.  Jordan was on the East Bank.  

According to the latest official statistics as of today, there are now over 500,000 Jews living in Judea and Samaria. 

 The size of this land is 2,270 mi².  It encompasses the entire West Bank, which has been a part of the 1948 Israel Government since 1967, and excludes East Jerusalem (see Jerusalem Law). 

Note that Bethlehem is in Judea.  I remember going through Jericho to get to Jerusalem on the highway by car from either Haifa or Safed.                      

Judea has been one of the states under King David who ruled from 1910 to 970 BCE and Samaria was the capital and land surrounding it later.  This was the original land of the Israelite people.  It is written about and found in the Old Testament or Torah, the Bible that gives the history.  For people who never study or read about it, it has no meaning, but for Observant Jews who know their family history, it means everything.  Jerusalem is in Judah/Judea.  

While its area is internationally recognized as a part of the Palestinian territories, some Israeli authorities group it together with the districts of Israel proper, largely for statistical purposes. The term Judea and Samaria serves as another name for the West Bank in Israel.

Major Israeli cities of Judea/Samaria are: 

• Ariel:  (Hebrew: אֲרִיאֵל;  is an urban Israeli city organized as a city council in the central West Bank, part of the Israeli-land claim,  approximately 20 kilometres (12 mi) east of the Green Line and 34 kilometres (21 mi) west of the Jordan border. Ariel was first established in 1978 and its population was 20,540 in 2019, composed of veteran and young Israelis, English-speaking immigrants, and immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, with an additional influx of above 10,000 students from Ariel University. It is the fourth largest Jewish city in the West Bank, after Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, and Ma'ale Adumim.  The Israeli West Bank barrier was originally planned to extend out from the Israeli border to Ariel. Under American political pressure, the "finger", as the extension of the fence to include Ariel is often called, was not built. Instead, Ariel has a security fence surrounding it on only three sides.
  
• 
  
• Betar Illit:  Beitar Illit is an Haredi Jewish-Israeli city
  
          Haredi Jews are very Orthodox Jews.  Picture is of Young Haredi Jews in Jerusalem, 2005.  
  
  
• organized as a city council in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, 10 kilometres southwest of Jerusalem in the West Bank. Beitar Illit is one of Israel's largest and most rapidly growing cities, and in 2019 had a population of 59,270.
  
• 
  
• Ma'ale Adumim:  Ma'ale Adumim is an urban Israeli city organized as a city council in the West Bank, seven kilometers east of Jerusalem. Ma'ale Adumim achieved city status in 1991. In 2015 its population was 38,155. It is located along Highway 1, which connects it to Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv Metropolitan Area. 
  
• 
  
• **Modi'in Illit: Modi'in Illit (Hebrew: מוֹדִיעִין עִלִּית; lit. "Upper Modi'in") is a Haredi Israeli city in the West Bank, situated midway between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Modi'in Illit encompasses the neighborhoods of Kiryat Sefer and Achuzat Brachfeld (Brachfeld Estates). In 2019 it had a total population of 76,374, making it the largest Jewish settlement in the area. The international community considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law, but the Israeli government disputes this.
  
  Haredi Jews consists of groups within Orthodox Judaism that are characterized by their strict adherence to halakha (Jewish law) and traditions, in opposition to modern values and practices. Its members are usually referred to as ultra-Orthodox in English.  Modi'in Illit was granted city status by the Israeli government in 2008. It is located six kilometres (3.7 miles) northeast of Modi'in-Maccabim-Re'ut and is often referred to as Kiryat Sefer (lit. "Book Town"), the name of its first neighborhood, established in 1994. It was built on the land of five Palestinian villages: Ni'lin, Kharbata, Saffa, Bil'in and Dir Qadis. Modi'in Illit encompasses the neighborhoods of Kiryat Sefer and Achuzat Brachfeld (Brachfeld Estates). In 2019 it had a total population of 76,374, making it the largest Jewish city  in the area.

Jewish places of Reverence wanted for visiting, prayers

 1. Cave of the Patriarchs, Hebron, West Bank;  In  Tiberias, Israel; 

 2. Rachel's Tomb, outside Bethlehem, West Bank;  

 3. Tomb of the Matriarchs, Tiberias, Israel;  Shiloh, Samaria; 

 4. David's Tomb, Mount Zion, Jerusalem;  

 5. Cave of Zedekiah, Old City of Jerusalem;  

Samaria was a city  founded in about 880 BCE aby King Omri on a 

hill  bought from Shemer (Kings 16:24).

 The site was 7 miles NW of Shechem 

 (Nablus) and was on an isolated elevation dominating a wide countryside.

The city occupied 25 acres. It fell in 721 BCE to Sargon II of Assyria who 

resettled it with Cutheans.  These intermingled and married with the 

remnants

of the former Jewish population. This population became the ancestors of the

Samaritans.  It became a Macedonian colony in 331 BCE.  John 

Hyrcanus took Samaria back  in 107 BCE.  

                                                             

King Abdullah and the land Britain gave to him becoming Transjordan that 

was 80% of the land first designated to be the Jewish National Home.  

According to Wikipedia,  Today's King Abdullah is the descendant of the 1st 

Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, a man looking to have land so he could be king.  

  

Only 24,000 Jews were living in Palestine on the eve of the emergence of Zionism within the world's Jewish communities in the last two decades of the 19th  century.  That's because

the Brits had kept Jews out while letting in Arabs.  In 2021, Israel had a population of 9,364 million people.  

Resource; 

The New Standard Jewish Encyclopedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emirate_of_Transjordan

https://statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/national-us/uncategorized/states-size

https://iris.org.il/israel-and-usa/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_burial_places_of_Abrahamic_figures

Israel AM

https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/israel-population/

 

 

Facts About Israel That You May Not Have Known But Should in Today's World

Nadene Goldfoot                                 

Israel is made up of only 8,019 square miles having lost 80% of land promised to them from the League of Nations and the United Nations.  Like former President Bush has said, it could fit into his ranch's driveway.

It's smaller than El Salvador which is 8,123 sq. miles
                          New Jersey which is 8,729 sq. miles
                          Taiwan        which is 13,731 sq miles
                          United Kingdom   is 94,525 sq miles
                          California   which is 158,302 sq miles
                          France        which is 211,209 sq miles

And the Middle East:

Israel's land mass is about  1/625th (1/6 of 1% of the size of the Arab World .)  Israel has 6 million Jews and 1.7 million Arabs as citizens.  7.7 million total.
                                                                         

The Arab League is made up of 22 countries:  Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, Western Sahara, Yemen, and Wikipedia includes the Palestinian Authority which is not an actual state, but Palestine is a member of the Arab League.
                                                                           
Speaking of the Muslim majority World, that is made up of 48 countries, trying to add Palestine on as the 49th.  Countries belonging to it are-from biggest to smallest:

Indonesia, Pakistan,Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Iran, Turkey, Sudan, Algeria, Morocco, Iraq, Afghanistan, Malaysia,Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Syria, Kazakhstan, Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali, Senegal, Tunisia, Guinea, Soalia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Sierra Leone, Libya, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Chad, Lebanon, Kuwait, Albania, Mauaritania, Oman, Kosovo, The Gambia, Bahrain, Comoros, Qatar, Djibouti, Brunei, Maldives, and the 48th is the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

In the world there were in 2010 300 million Middle Eastern Arabs and Muslims
There are today, 6 million Jews living in Israel, 6 million Jews in the USA and 2 million scattered, 14 million altogether.

Lebanon used to be ruled by the minority Christians, with Major Hadad as Israel's friend helping to patrol  her borders.   Israel is the only Middle East country today where the Christian population is thriving instead of disappearing like the Lebanese Christians.   Between 1948 and 1998, Israel's Christians grew 4 times over.  from 34,000 to 130,000.

That's pretty amazing since Christianity in the world numbers to 2 billion people.
Islam.............................................................................................. 1.3 billion
Hinduism:                                                                                   900 million people
Buddhism                                                                                    360 million people
Judaism..........................................................................................14 million people

Religious majority in countries around the world are:

1 Jewish state:  ISRAEL
4 Hindu states:
12 Eastern Orthodox states
20 Protestant states
49 Roman Catholic states
56 Islamic states

Israel was occupied by the Romans who finally destroyed their Temple and Jerusalem in 70 CE.  They've been without their own home till May 14, 1948 CE.  However, there was always a continuous Jewish presence living in Israel for the past 3,000 years.  It's a part of Judaism, written in the Tanakh (Old Testament) that this was their land.
                                                                   

What the League of Nations had promised to be the Jewish Homeland
Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire for past 400 years.
The Turks lost it because they sided with the Germans in WWI
The Allies had won against the Axis.  

In 1899, Yusuf diya al-Khalidi, Arab mayor of Jerusalem  was for the rebirth of Israel.  But then Haj Amin al-Husseini, the notorious Sherif of Jerusalem AKA the Grand Mufti, was against the development of Israel.He was thinking of his infamous position there and didn't intend to lose it to the Jews.  The odd thing is that he received this position from an English Jew, part of those holding the 30 year mandate, a responsibility of governing awarded to them by the League of Nations before turning the land over to the Jews.

"Emir Faisal, a leader of the Arab world in 1919 said, "It is manifestly right that the scattered Jews should have a national center and a national home and be reunited, and where else but in Palestine, with which for 3,000 years they have been intimately and profoundly associated."  This is why he was a leader.  He was honest, well educated and not anti-Semitic.  These were the days when all things were possible.  It was the days when the Jews planned on an Israel of a Utopia for themselves and Arabs living with them.  No one counted on the nastiness that the Grand Mufti could create, or the change in Islamic beliefs that seemed to occur.  Jews had lived in Arab counties not as citizens but as 2nd class people; as dminnis  with restrictions, some worse in different countries.  They'd never been totally sought after to be killed outright.

Reference: http://en.wikipeia.org/wiki/List_of)Muslim-majority_countries
https://www.thoughtco.com/list-of-arab-states-1435128

An aside:  I had not realized that the original size of Israel had included Jordan and 80% of the Jewish Homeland had been lopped off to satisfy the Saudi Arabian Prince who got it and renamed it Trans-Jordan.  I found out through my good Muslim friend, a Syrian.  I do have a few Muslim friends that are as aware of the Middle East situation and are rooting for Israel's rights to exist and I bless them everyday for their friendship.  May G-d also keep bless them and keep them safe.  They are helping to open the eyes of their compatriots.

Comparing Israel to the World of majority Religions

Religious Majorities in Countries
                                                                   
                                                                         

, 

King David's Empire 970 BCE including Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, part of Turkey, Egypt

The Promised land which was all the blue and yellow shaded land of the Jewish People by the League of Nations-Abdullah took TransJordan in 1948 illegally evidently with England 's(who held the mandate) okay-going against League of Nations

Transjordan became Jordan with this Hashemite Family.  They refuse to take in anymore Palestinian Arabs. Jordan already has a Palestinian majority.  

I. There is one Jewish country;  Israel. It's hard to see on many maps.  
II. There are 4 Hindu countries.
III. There are 81 Christian majority countries:
      A. Eastern Orthodox=12
      B. Protestant=20
      C. Roman Catholic=49
IV  There are 56 Islamic countries (from standwithus.com) or 48 (from Wikipedia) and 1 more pending (Palestine)

World Religions                 

Today's Israeli Warriors (IDF) Defending Israel 

I. Judaism...... ......14 million people
      A. 6 million in Israel
      B. 6 million in USA
      C. 2 million scattered throughout world; Britain, South Africa, France (leaving for Israel) Germany

II.  Buddhism....    360 million people
III. Hinduism....    900 million people
IV Islam...........1.62 billion people
      A. Sunni  75% to 90% of 1.62 billion people
      B. Shiite...about 200 million; 36.3% to 38.6% in Middle East..
      C. Middle East- 300 million Muslims
V Christianity   2 billion people
      Israel=130,000

Size of Religious Lands

I.  Israel is made up of 8,019 square miles.  Compared to the Arab world, the land mass is about 1/625 or 1/6th of 1%. of Arab land. It is so little that from Tel Aviv to Judea-Samaria (West Bank) it is only 11 miles (18 km).  From Netanya to Judea-Samaria it is only 9 miles (15 km).  Ashkelon is only 7 miles (11 km) from Gaza.  Beersheva is only 9 miles (15 km) from Judea.  Ashdod is the farthest from Judea, 22 miles (36 km).  Haifa is 21 miles (35 km)  from Samaria.  Made of 6 million Jews and 1.7 million Arabs, 130,000 Christians.  

Judea and Samaria were the homes of Judaism, led there by Moses.  They originally made up Israel.  When King Solomon (961-920 BCE) died, the southern part of the tribe of Judah pulled out and became the state of Judah.  The state of Israel was then conquered by Assyria in 721 BCE.  Judah was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE.  Hence, Judaism comes from the name of the biggest tribe remaining, Judah.  

II.  United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales) is made up of 94,525 square miles (244,820 sq. km)
III. France is made up of 211,209 square miles  (547,029 sq.km)
 IV India is made up of 1,222,559 square miles (3,166,4114 sq km)

 V. USA is made up of  50 states totaling 3,718,710 square miles (9,631,420 sq. km) Muli-religions
      A. California is one of 50 states in the USA.  It is made up of 158,302 square miles and is a multi-religious state as most USA states now are, tolerant of all religions.
      B. Oregon is one of 50 states in the USA.  It is made up of 98,381 square miles (255,021 sq km)

VI     China is made up of 3,705,407 square miles (9,596,961 sq km)

VI I   Canada is made up of 3,855,100 square miles (9,984,670 sq km)
                             
 VIII       Russia is made up of 6,601,668 sq. miles (17,098,242 sq km)

Ages of Countries           

King David (1010 BCE-970 BCE) of Israel

Israel -King Saul,   11th  century BCE  c 1050 BCE-70 CE
China.....221 BCE

Syria: April 17, 1946
Jordan May 25, 1946
Lebanon..December 31, 1946
India...August 15, 1947
Israel-Ben Gurion ,   May 14, 1948
Iran...April 1, 1979 (was Persia)
Iraq:  October 3, 1932; July 14, 1958; October 15, 2005 ???

USA.................   1776

Russian Empire 1721 (Catherine II )
Russia..............December 25, 1991 (Anti-Religious)
   
Resource: Standwithus--Israel 101 magazine special Edition with CUFI
 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_area
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime_Ministers_of_Israel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni_Islam
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia_Islam
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/4615/jordan-palestinians
http://www.timesofisrael.com/immigration-to-israel-hits-10-year-high-with-record-french-influx/
http://jewishbubba.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-abdullah-i-got-transjordan-and-more.html