The Heroism and Sacrifice of the IDF’s Golani Brigade Over the Past 10 Weeks
Golani's 13th Battalion suffered a severe blow with the outbreak of the war on October 7th, but has since recovered and has been leading fierce battles against Hamas
Mandi Kogosowski
| 14/12/2023
Golani forces at the Hamas parliament building, last month
During the intense battles that took place this week, ten fighters from the IDF's 669 and the Golani Brigade were killed, including the Commander of Golani’s 13th Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Greenberg.
Hamas terrorists opened fire on IDF forces and activated an explosive charge as they approached. Additional fighters were injured in the rescue operation. Greenberg, aged 35 at the time of his death, had assumed the position of battalion commander just this past July.
Among the fallen in the battle was also Colonel Yitzhak Ben Basat, head of the Golani commander’s team, who was already in the process of retiring from the IDF but requested to join the fighting in the brigade where he had grown.
Golani's 13th Battalion suffered a severe blow with the outbreak of the war following Hamas's horrific surprise attack, losing 41 of its officers and soldiers in the battles on October 7th. Most notable were the battles in Kibbutz Nir Oz, in the Nahal Oz position, and the Faga outpost – where more than a hundred Hamas terrorists infiltrated.
The battalion and the entire brigade recovered from the severe blows, and with the beginning of the ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, they led fierce battles in the densely populated neighborhoods while clearing the areas, destroying terror infrastructure, and locating numerous means of warfare. They also directed aircraft and artillery forces for aerial fire strikes. In one of the raids on a Hamas stronghold, Golan fighters eliminated around thirty terrorists.
Watch Golani forces in action:
On November 13th, Golani’s 13th Battalion captured the Hamas Parliament building in Gaza City—an iconic symbol of the terrorist organization. They were photographed waving the flags of the brigade and Israel. Subsequently, the building was detonated by IDF forces. Additionally, the battalion took control of the Hamas police headquarters, the government compound, and other official facilities, including training grounds, weapons, interrogation rooms, and more.
On the grounds of Hamas’ “Katiba" base in the heart of Gaza City, where ceremonies were held by both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement, fighters from Golani’s 13th and 51st Battalions conducted a ceremony in memory of dozens of their brothers in arms who fell in battles since the beginning of the conflict. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Greenberg delivered emotional remarks: "At this moment, we commit to providing security to the residents of the Gaza periphery and all the people of Israel. We will continue to act with determination and lethality while avoiding harm to the innocent."
"Justice of our cause has always been with us and will always be with us," added Greenberg. "The 13th Battalion will never be broken, and the 13th Battalion will never break. The Golan Brigade will continue to fight until victory. Am Yisrael Chai.” Now, receiving his words takes on a chilling significance.
During the war, Golani’s Reconnaissance Unit marked a significant milestone as its new fighters completed their training after one year and four months. They were awarded the traditional pin at a ceremony held in the heart of the Gaza Strip.
"Every end-of-course speech, I express how proud I am of the graduating class. These days, it takes on a different meaning," said the unit’s commander Lieutenant Colonel David. "We are the generation that has the privilege and duty to fight for our country. Be proud of yourselves, and continue to operate with professionalism and dedication. I am proud of you. Until the victory!"
Golani's 13th Battalion suffered a severe blow with the outbreak of the war on October 7th, but has since recovered and has been leading fierce battles against Hamas
Golani forces at the Hamas parliament building, last month
During the intense battles that took place this week, ten fighters from the IDF's 669 and the Golani Brigade were killed, including the Commander of Golani’s 13th Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Greenberg.
Hamas terrorists opened fire on IDF forces and activated an explosive charge as they approached. Additional fighters were injured in the rescue operation. Greenberg, aged 35 at the time of his death, had assumed the position of battalion commander just this past July.
Among the fallen in the battle was also Colonel Yitzhak Ben Basat, head of the Golani commander’s team, who was already in the process of retiring from the IDF but requested to join the fighting in the brigade where he had grown.
Golani's 13th Battalion suffered a severe blow with the outbreak of the war following Hamas's horrific surprise attack, losing 41 of its officers and soldiers in the battles on October 7th. Most notable were the battles in Kibbutz Nir Oz, in the Nahal Oz position, and the Faga outpost – where more than a hundred Hamas terrorists infiltrated.
The battalion and the entire brigade recovered from the severe blows, and with the beginning of the ground maneuver in the Gaza Strip, they led fierce battles in the densely populated neighborhoods while clearing the areas, destroying terror infrastructure, and locating numerous means of warfare. They also directed aircraft and artillery forces for aerial fire strikes. In one of the raids on a Hamas stronghold, Golan fighters eliminated around thirty terrorists.
Watch Golani forces in action:
On November 13th, Golani’s 13th Battalion captured the Hamas Parliament building in Gaza City—an iconic symbol of the terrorist organization. They were photographed waving the flags of the brigade and Israel. Subsequently, the building was detonated by IDF forces. Additionally, the battalion took control of the Hamas police headquarters, the government compound, and other official facilities, including training grounds, weapons, interrogation rooms, and more.
On the grounds of Hamas’ “Katiba" base in the heart of Gaza City, where ceremonies were held by both Hamas and the Islamic Jihad Movement, fighters from Golani’s 13th and 51st Battalions conducted a ceremony in memory of dozens of their brothers in arms who fell in battles since the beginning of the conflict. During the ceremony, Lieutenant Colonel Greenberg delivered emotional remarks: "At this moment, we commit to providing security to the residents of the Gaza periphery and all the people of Israel. We will continue to act with determination and lethality while avoiding harm to the innocent."
"Justice of our cause has always been with us and will always be with us," added Greenberg. "The 13th Battalion will never be broken, and the 13th Battalion will never break. The Golan Brigade will continue to fight until victory. Am Yisrael Chai.” Now, receiving his words takes on a chilling significance.
During the war, Golani’s Reconnaissance Unit marked a significant milestone as its new fighters completed their training after one year and four months. They were awarded the traditional pin at a ceremony held in the heart of the Gaza Strip.
"Every end-of-course speech, I express how proud I am of the graduating class. These days, it takes on a different meaning," said the unit’s commander Lieutenant Colonel David. "We are the generation that has the privilege and duty to fight for our country. Be proud of yourselves, and continue to operate with professionalism and dedication. I am proud of you. Until the victory!"
