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
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  • 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

Islam and ISIS-Partners or Enemies Part III

Nadene Goldfoot                                                                   

ISIS is aggressively making war against all they come across in order to take land for their Caliphate.  They are led by a Salafi Muslim, Baghdadi, a PhD in Education, now updated to Islamic Studies, from the Islamic U of Baghdad,  from Baghdad.  He is a self proclaimed Caliph of the Islamic State IS which he previously called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS).  They use beheading as a means to cause fear and make people follow in their footsteps and join their movement.  If they don't, they are beheaded.  When they came across the Christians, they offered them conversion or paying a heavy fine of which was impossible for them, or leaving or death.  Many Christians have fled to the Kurds in the North.

This is not permissible in Islamic law.  If the motive for terrorism is religious, it is not permitted.  It is actually forbidden to try to impose Islam on other people.  Of course, these people ISIS comes across in Iraq are already Sunnis, but not of the group of Salafis.  

2:256,( The Cow,) The Qur'an says, "There is no compulsion in religion.  The right way (Islam) has become distinct from error (other religions).  This verse was revealed in Medina in 622 CE or after and was never abrogated by any other verse of the Qur'an.  Islam's holy book forbids coercing people into adopting any religion.  They have to willingly choose it.   Much coercion is being used by ISIS which is convert or die.  If these ISIS terrorists are depending on Baghdadi to know the Qur'an, they are very weak in what it teaches themselves, then.  He is leading them in the opposite direction of what Muhammad intended to teach.  This is the opposite behavior of what is written in the Qur'an.

Not anyone can start a war according to Islam.  Even a civil engineer cannot declare or launch a war simply because he is college educated.  It is the duty of the constituted leader of the Muslim community that has the right to declare a war on his enemy.  For, instance, only the President of the USA can declare a war according to Islam.  In the Islamic world, this would be joined with the advice from the mufti or national jurisconsult.

 Baghdadi has been no constituted leader of any Muslim community.  Abu Bakr al Baghdadi was born near Samarra, Iraq in 1971.  He was held in Camp Bucca, an internment camp of the USA,  during the internment of many Iraqis in 2004 and later let go.  Since then there has been a price on his head of $10 million dollars for information leading to his capture or death.   What Baghdadi was has been a member of al-Qaeda in Iraq and was announced as leader of the ISI (Islamic State of Iraq or al-Qaeda in Iraq)  on May 16, 2010 because Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, his predecessor, had just died.  
                                                                          

As a leader, he was responsible for large-scale operations such as an attack on a mosque in Baghdad which killed prominent Sunni lawmaker Khalid al-Fahdawi.  In one month between March and April 2011, his ISI claimed 23 attacks south of Baghdad, all under his command.

Osama bin Laden died on May 2, 2011 in Pakistan.  Of course he praised him and threatened violent retaliation for his death.  He then attacked Hilla, 62 miles south of Baghdad where 24 policemen and 72 others were wounded.  By August 2011 in Mosul he started a wave of ISI suicide attacks which caused 70 deaths.  ISI pledged on its website to have 100 attacks across Iraq including raids, suicide attacks, roadside bombs and small arms attacks in all cities and rural areas.  In December car bombings and IED attacks struck over 12 neighborhood across Baghdad which willed 63 people and wounded 180.  This occurred just days after the USA withdrew from Iraq.

The next year on December 2, 2012, Iraqi officials claimed they had captured him in Baghdad after tracking him for 2 months.  This claim was false.  They had the wrong man Al Baghdadi was leader of ISI until its formal expansion into Syria in 2013.  On April 8th he announced the formation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also translated into ISIS.  Baghdadi said that Jabhat al-Niusra, or al-Nusra Front had been a part of ISI in Syria and now merged with them.  This had been the Syrian Civil War jihadist faction.  Their leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jawlani, disavowed this statement.  It was a way to take over his fighters.  So in January 2014, ISIS expelled Nusra from Syria's ar-Raqah city.  By February 2014, al-Qaeda disavowed any  relations with ISIS.

On June 29, 2014, ISIS announced the establishment of his caliphate and of course Al-Baghdadi was the caliph, now known as Caliph Ibrahim and the caliphate is to be known as the Islamic State or IS.

According to a descendant of Muhammad, only a descendant can create a caliphate.  There is no known knowledge about Baghdadi being one of the known descendants.  This must be proved through DNA testing.  Descendants are not the only ones not planning on following him.  Such a declaration has been criticized by Middle Eastern government and other jihadist groups as well as by Sunni Muslim theologians and historians.
                                                                               

The nefarious Muslim theologian, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, stated that the declaration issued by the Islamic State is void under sharia law and has dangerous consequences for the Sunnis in Iraq and for the revolt in Syria.  The title of caliph can only be given by the entire Muslim nation, not by a single group.This is the only statement I can accept from this man, as he hates Jews so much that he wants Israel destroyed and would enjoy killing Jews with his bare hands, he has stated, even though he sits in a wheel chair.  He is most evil in my eyes, even though he knows his sharia law.
                                                                                   

Baghdadi replies that ISIS will march on Rome as he plans on establishing his Islamic State across Europe and will conquer Rome and Spain to do this.  He's urging all Muslims across the world to immigrate to the new Islamic State.  Since he has marched across Iraq and has slaughtered hundreds if not thousands of Sunni Muslims already, anyone that heeds his call is insane.  Such a man who blatantly ignores the laws of his declared religion is no religionist and cannot be trusted.  He has been called a psychopath.  
Resource: Ten Ways Islamic Law forbids Terror
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Bakr_al-Baghdadi
http://jewishbubba.blogspot.com/2014/07/americas-hand-in-creating-isis-leader.html
References listed in parts I and II