Nahal units
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Nahal Brigade
The Nahal Brigade (Brigade 933) is a regular infantry brigade in the Israel Defense Forces, subordinate to the Steel Division (Division 162). The brigade participated in all Israeli campaigns starting from the War of Peace in Galilee, with the exception of Operation Cast Lead in which it captured a line on the borders of Syria and Lebanon.
The brigade's name is derived from the initials of the Youth Pioneers Fighting Group (Nahal), because it originated from the Nahal units that were established from the early days of the State of Israel. However, most of the brigade today consists of soldiers from the general public, who are not connected to the settlement movement or the units.
Soldiers of the Nahal Brigade wear a light green beret with the infantry emblem and wear red shoes. The Nahal unit badge consists of a sword, sickle, and wheat. The sword symbolizes the defense, and the sickle and wheat symbolize farming and pioneering. The four arrows symbolize the brigade's battalions: Shaham (931), Granite (932), Basalt (50), and the Patrol (934). The Nahal Brigade's brigade training base (Nahal B.A.) has been located in Tel Arad since March 1993.
Battalion 50 Basalt
It began its journey as the 88th Parachute Battalion of the Nahal, which was a regular battalion in Unit 202 (later Brigade 202 and then Brigade 35 ). The soldiers who served in the various Nahal units used to undergo infantry training as part of the Advanced Training Battalion. The soldiers underwent their basic training at Camp Beit Dras , and from there they moved to the Nahal Advanced Training Base at Camp Nathan in the south (at the Nahal Base). Starting in November 1955, Nahal fighters were integrated into the paratroopers' retaliatory operations. In April 1956 , Mota Gur , later the Chief of Staff, assumed command of the battalion.
In 1956, the battalion was renamed "Unit 88", and the unit was transferred from Camp Filon to its new base at Camp Bilu . The battalion participated in the paratroopers' retaliatory operations. In Operation Kadesh , it participated in the capture of Kuntila , Tamed and Nakhal in Sinai , and in the Battle of Mitla . Towards the end of Operation Kadesh, two companies from the battalion participated in an operational parachute drop at A-Tur and captured the airport there. After Operation Kadesh, the battalion was renamed Battalion 50. The battalion participated, among other things, in the explosion of the Qalqilya police station, in the battles of Rafah in the Six-Day War , as well as in dozens of operations during the War of Attrition .
After the Six-Day War, the battalion's base was established in Beit Sahur near Bethlehem . The largest operation in which the battalion participated at that time was Operation Karama . Later, the battalion participated in Operation Rooster 53 on the Egyptian front and in Operation Spring of Youth in Lebanon .
In 1969 , during the period of pursuit in the Jordan Valley, the battalion commander, Moshe Peles , and his deputy, Doron Manor, were killed in a pursuit in Nahal Bezeq.
During the Yom Kippur War, the battalion's soldiers were stationed in the forward posts of the southern and eastern sectors in the Golan Heights , and many of its soldiers were injured in heavy fighting against the Syrian army . The battalion, under the command of Yoram Yair , was evacuated from the northern front and, after a week of regrouping, was transferred to the southern front, where its soldiers fought in occupied Egyptian territory against the Egyptian Third Army.
In 1990 , it was decided to unite the 50th Battalion with the 950th Battalion, which was involved in the BTA and was composed of veteran Nahal fighters who had completed their mission. Together they became the 50th Battalion, and in effect transferred it from the Paratrooper Brigade to the Nahal Brigade.
Until 2007 , as part of the November recruitment cycle, soldiers from the BMALM track (farmers for command), a service track unique to this battalion, enlisted in the battalion. These soldiers were from moshavim and farm buildings with high data. The goal of the track was to develop and train the future commanders in the brigade. The BMALM track was closed, as stated, in 2007.
At the beginning of the Second Lebanon War, the 50th Battalion was operationally engaged in the Ramim Range . During the war, it was the first battalion to participate in combat after the kidnapping of IDF soldiers and the damage to the tank that went in to rescue them. During the rescue mission, battalion soldier Nimrod Cohen was killed. The battalion later fought in the villages of Qila , Rab al-Talathin , al -Adaisa, al-Tayyiba , Mis al-Jabal , Qantara and Feron.
The battalion consists of four combat companies: an operational company, a spearhead company, a route company, and a support company.
Battalion 931 Shaham
Battalion 931 was established in June 1976 as a battalion in the Rechs Ramim sector of the Northern Command , but was administratively subordinate to the Nahal Command. Already during the formation exercise, in the Herodion area, the battalion suffered fatalities from a training accident and a traffic accident . The battalion's first combat activity was in " Operation Cooperative " in Lebanon in October 1977, following which it also participated in Operation Litani . On April 7, 1980 , a serious terrorist attack took place in the battalion's sector at Kibbutz Misgav Am . In the period that followed, the battalion had to prove itself, and in 1981 it managed to regain confidence following the elimination of three terrorist squads, one of which attempted to penetrate Israeli territory using a hot air balloon ( April 16, 1981), without casualties to IDF forces.
In the First Lebanon War, the battalion's mission was to clear terrorist targets in the "Fatahland" area. During the fighting, the battalion was severely damaged on June 10, 1982, near the village of Libia. Due to a misidentification, Israeli Air Force aircraft bombed a convoy that included forces from the battalion and Brigade 943, causing 24 deaths and approximately 100 injuries. The bombing of Battalion 931 is the worst two-sided shooting incident in IDF history. Despite this, the battalion continued to fight under the command of Yom Tov Samia. The battalion participated in the battles to enter Beirut, but dissatisfaction with its performance led to the replacement of the battalion commander, Herzl Boker, weeks after his appointment.
With the establishment of the Nahal Brigade, at the end of 1982, it became a regular battalion within its framework. However, the transition was not easy, as the brigade was established during the Galilee Peace War, and there was a physical disconnect between the headquarters.
In the 1980s, a serious incident occurred in the battalion sector, when it held a line in the north - the Night of the Gliders incident (November 25, 1987). Although the battalion itself functioned properly in the incident, the embarrassing results tarnished the young brigade and the battalion for many years. With the outbreak of the first intifada, the battalion, like most IDF units, carried out operational activity in the Gaza Strip and Judea for many months. In the 1990s, the battalion engaged in routine line and training activities and adopted the slogan: "Shaham - the human advantage." In the following years, the brigade adopted the battalion's slogan for itself. At that time, the "Spike Company" was established in the battalion - the first in the brigade and one of the first in the IDF. During the first years, the company was used to test various models for this type of company, and eventually similar companies were established in all regular and reserve infantry battalions based on the model it presented.
With the outbreak of the Second Intifada, the battalion was heavily involved in preventing terrorism and protecting the communities in the Judea and Samaria region. In November 2000, a force from the battalion was involved in a battle in the village of Al-Khader in the Bethlehem region. Two soldiers were killed in the battle. After the assassination of Minister Rehavam Ze'evi, the battalion, together with the Nahal Brigade, led the entrance to Beit Rima in the Halamish region, from which the minister's murderers emerged. Five Palestinians were killed in the battle. After the attack in Hadera in October 2001, the battalion participated in the first occupation of a Palestinian city by the Nahal Brigade. The city of Tulkarm was captured in the battle. A famous battle of the battalion was the attack on the worshipers' axis in Hebron, in which 12 Israelis were killed, including 3 soldiers from the battalion (Lieutenant Danny Cohen, Igor Drovitsky and David Marcus).
In the Second Lebanon War, the battalion fought, among other things, in the villages of A-Tayyiba and Hula, and then in the Battle of the Saluki in the village of Ghandouriya. In these battles, the battalion eliminated many Hezbollah terrorists and exposed many weapons, but also suffered losses: two killed and dozens wounded. The commander of the battalion's spearhead company was decorated with the Brigade Commander's Medal for his fighting in the battle. Two of the company's soldiers were decorated after the war, Alon Rothmans was decorated with the Courage Medal and Michael Hibner was decorated with the Excellence Medal.
With the outbreak of Operation Protective Edge, the first force to enter the Gaza Strip was Battalion 931 under the command of Lt. Col. Sharon Esman. In the heavy fighting in Beit Hanun, three fighters from Battalion 931 fell.
The battalion was decorated with the Division Commander's Medal for its fighting in the operation. No fewer than five medals were awarded to fighters in the battalion for their bravery in battle, including Yogev Ofir.
On November 25, 2021, the battalion was awarded an operational commendation from the Chief of Staff for its activities in Operation Wall Guardian.
On October 7, 2023, with the outbreak of the October 7 massacre, the fighters of Battalion 931 were deployed to fight in the encirclement. Upon receiving news of the infiltration of terrorists and the developing incident in the sector, the fighters joined other forces in the sector, including the Magellan unit, and fought together. On their way to the scene of the battle in Kfar Gaza, Major Tal Grushka, commander of the rifle company, was killed in an encounter with terrorists during an exchange of fire. On November 8, 2023, during the ground maneuver, the battalion fighter Sergeant Noam Yosef Abu was killed after an exchange of fire in the northern Gaza Strip. On December 26, 2023, Major Shai Shmaryz, commander of the Faluhod, and Lieutenant Colonel (res.) Shauli Greenglick were killed by a mine planted by terrorists. In the battle, a company corporal was seriously wounded and 4 others were wounded to various degrees.
932nd Granite Battalion
The Granite Battalion is a regular infantry battalion that operates within the Nahal Brigade under the command of the IDF . The slogan used by the unit's fighters is - Granite Battalion, the Spearhead - this is in reference to their position in the ranks of the Nahal Brigade, in part in the brigade emblem, and because they are combat leaders.
Another phrase coined by the unit's fighters is the phrase "War tomorrow" as a reference to the battalion's readiness for operational activity at any time.
Acceptance into the ranks of the battalion is conditional on enlistment in the Nahal Brigade as a private and then specialization into the unit's rookie company during the pre- training phase at the Nahal Tov Military Academy .
The training course for a soldier in the Nahal Brigade begins at the Brigade Training Base (BTB) in Tel Arad . There, he undergoes basic training (basic training) for 4 months (at the Nahal-Tov base) and then advanced training lasting about four and a half months (at the Nahal-Karyot base).
During the training period, the fighters learn how to fight in open terrain, desert areas, forested areas, cities and villages , and also how to cooperate with other military forces and other troops such as the Armored Corps , the Artillery Corps , and the Air Force in coordinated exercises. The exercises are conducted both in the field and in the various training facilities of the brigade and in advanced simulation rooms (simulation halls) that simulate many extreme situations that a fighter may encounter on the battlefield, with the emphasis on a northern theater in accordance with the wartime designation of the Nahal Brigade, which is the northern sector. At the end of the Nahal fighter training course, which lasts about 8 months (and the 07 Rifleman certification as part of the infantry formation), the company's recruits are awarded the battalion pin on their uniforms after their transfer to the operational companies.
The battalion, as part of the effort and ultimate goal of the Nahal Brigade, although operating in all different sectors, is intended for warfare on the northern borders of the country (see: Hezbollah , Syria and Lebanon ). The modern Nahal Brigade itself was "established" in light of the lessons of the First Lebanon War , in order to help the army cope and better learn the nature of warfare in a northern context following lessons learned from the various campaigns it conducted in Lebanon .
Battalion 932 is the most decorated battalion (as of 2023 ) of all the regular battalions of the Nahal Brigade.
The battalion's training company is in great demand during the "pre-training" stages among the brigade's new recruits and recruits (excluding those who have graduated from the Yechat formation ) within the combat recruitment cycles.
The Granite Battalion (932) consists of six companies: Falhud - which is considered the leading company in combat, a headquarters, a rifle company, an auxiliary company, and an assault and operational reconnaissance company.
The battalion's sniper department (team) (located under the Falhud) has won impressive titles in shooting and sniping competitions in recent years, both internationally and within the IDF, and has repeatedly proven its effectiveness and capabilities.
The Granite Battalion received a commendation from the Chief of Staff for its operational activity in Operation Dawn , in August 2022 .
During all the years of its activity, approximately 54 IDF soldiers fell while serving in the battalion in various campaigns and operations.
On October 7, following the October 7 massacre, the battalion was pulled out of its assignment in Hebron and split between the northern and southern sectors. The battalion fought on October 7 in the southern Hatmar area, eliminating terrorists and rescuing residents.
As part of the Iron Swords War, the battalion entered the Gaza Strip on October 27 under the 401st Battalion and remained under it throughout the fighting. The battalion initially operated extensively in the northern Gaza Strip, including in battles on the coastal axis, Al-Atatra , Beit Lahia , Jabaliya , Shati , Rimal , Darj - Tufah , and Zeitoun . Afterwards, the battalion remained among the only forces in Gaza on the Netzarim axis, and carried out special operations there with the 13th Squadron and the Shaldag unit, especially in a local operation at the Shifa Hospital , where the battalion took a significant part and lost three fighters. The battalion led the capture of the Rafah Crossing , and fought extensively in the Rafah sector in battles for Shabura and Tel Sultan , where the battalion eliminated the Tel Sultan battalion's chain of command. The battalion raided Beit Hanoun before the ceasefire and hit many terrorists. In this battle, the company commander and the company commander of the Hod Company fell. After 16 consecutive months of fighting in Gaza, the battalion went into combat in Judea and Samaria in the Tulkarm area.
In addition, the battalion's assault reconnaissance company took part in the fighting in southern Lebanon and Syria under Brigade 188, striking many terrorists and capturing territory.
Sayeret Nahal - GDS 934 Topaz
Battalion 934 was established in 2002 , as the fourth battalion in the brigade and was designated a reconnaissance battalion. The battalion was formed from the union of the brigade companies. These included the Tzur Company , which was established on the basis of a reconnaissance team, and was founded in 1983 due to the need to escort forces inside Lebanon, the Gazit Company , which was established in 1991 as a professional company engaged in anti-tank warfare, and the Sapir Company , which was established in August 1992.
In 2004, a reconnaissance and sniper company (RSC) was added to these companies.
Following Operation Defensive Shield, the battalion was decorated with the Medal of Honor from the Commander of the Central Command . In the Second Lebanon War, the battalion fought in the village of "Peron" after being flown by helicopter to Nahal Saluki .
In September 2021 , the IDF made a drastic change to the brigade's reconnaissance battalion and its companies. The battalion's name was changed from "Nahal Patrol" to "Nahal Patrol" and is now defined as a patrol . The patrols specialize in raiding, reconnaissance, sabotage, combat in built-up areas, underground combat, snipers, and the operation of anti-tank missiles . The designated companies from the reconnaissance battalion were converted into companies called by the same names they had before the change:
At the beginning of the October 7 massacre , which led to the outbreak of the Iron Sword War , there was
The Nahal patrol was operationally engaged in the southern Gaza Strip. In the attack, it was the first patrol to participate in the fighting in the Battle of Kerem Shalom after Hamas terrorists attacked the settlement, kidnapping and killing civilians. During the Battle of Kerem Shalom, the patrol lost 17 of its fighters, including its commander, Lt. Col. Yonatan Tzur ("Branesh"), and his deputy, Maj. Ido Yisrael Shani.
Brigade Training Base - 933rd Infantry Regiment - Training Battalion
The Nahal Brigade's brigade training base is located near Tel Arad , where the brigade's training, instruction, and exercises take place. Until 1993 , Nahal recruits trained at Camp 80 before joining the brigade. In 1993, the recruits were transferred to a site near Tel Arad, where the 908th Infantry Regiment was established, which operated under the Nahal Command . On December 26, 1996, the Recruit and Advanced Training Base (908) was transferred from the Nahal Command to the Nahal Brigade and its name was changed to the Nahal Brigade (933). The base provides recruit training , basic training, and advanced training for Nahal Brigade fighters, 13th Squadron recruits, Shaldag recruits, 669th Infantry Regiment recruits, 401st Fighter Squadron recruits, combat support personnel, and more. In addition, specific preparations for the KCC and the Company Commanders Course are held at the base. One per cycle, there are training sessions held instead.
GDSM 933
An operational support battalion that assists in evacuation and medical, logistics and supply, maintenance of transportation vehicles, and critical management for the success of the brigade during combat. The battalion was established in 2022 and combines soldiers and officers in the permanent, reserve, and regular ranks.
7107th Engineering Battalion - Raz
A reserve combat engineering battalion subordinate to the Nahal Brigade. The battalion has been subordinate to the brigade since 2020.
Nahal Graduate Divisions Reserve:
Brigade 5 Sharon Brigade
Brigade 6 Etzioni Brigade
Brigade 228 Alon Brigade
16th Brigade Jerusalem Brigade
For more information on Nahal units, including their commanders throughout their generations, please visit
For the Nahal Brigade entry on Wikipedia