IDF mixed battalion fights in Gaza (IDF)
The Iron Swords War in Gaza saw a historic first for the IDF. A mixed unit of both men and women soldiers fought in combat in Gaza, something that had never happened before.
This happened due to the emergency circumstances of the Hamas massacre on October 7th during which more than 1,200 innocent people were murdered. In addition to the mass slaughter at towns and kibbutzim located near the border with Gaza, in which whole families were murdered and even babies were burned alive, a number of IDF outposts along the border fence were overrun. The IDF sent forces in to rescue the soldiers who were besieged in these outposts.
In one operation an assault included forces from the “Shahar” (Dawn) Battalion, which was established in 2008 and is the first regular service battalion of the Search and Rescue Brigade. The battalion has 3 companies, “Shavit”, “Hetz” and “Rotem” and is led by the IDF’s first female combat unit brigade commander.
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The IDF said that on October 7, the men and women of the rescue brigade found themselves in two major battles: the battle in Urim, and in the home front in Zikim, in which they demonstrated extraordinary fighting spirit and bravery. Since then, they have mainly engaged in various tasks of evacuating the residents from the enclave and assisting the maneuvering forces.
Then, about two weeks ago, forces of the rescue brigade entered Gaza on a “very large scale,” said the rescue and training brigade Commander Col. Elad Adri.
“40 percent of the ‘order of battle’ [of the unit] that is inside the strip are women,” he added. “in addition to a general and two company commanders. Instead of talking On gender equality, we do it in practice.”
One of the battles in which this unit too part was against Hamas terrorist infrastructures located in the Shatti refugee camp, hidden within civilian areas.
Yarden, Shahar’s battalion commander, said, “In recent days, the Shahar Battalion has been taking a significant part in the maneuvering power of the 162nd Division, and our goal is to assist in a cold break-in and be a significant rescue force when necessary.”
In addition, during an activity by the forces of an IDF commando brigade in a hotel in Gaza, the fighters of the rescue brigade joined that force, carried out what the IDF called a “cold break-in” using special tools of the brigade, and thus discovered another underground floor, where a large number of weapons and intelligence materials of Hamas.
“The rescue brigade has dedicated capabilities to break through walls, ceilings and complex elements, as well as the ability to rescue fighters in difficult situations,” stressed Col. Adri. “We trained for this day, we are prepared and ready, and we will continue to accompany the IDF maneuver as long as it takes.”
