Harel Brigade (Hebrew: חטיבת הראל, Hativat Harel) is a reserve brigade of the Israel Defense Forces, today part of the Southern Command. It played a critical role in the 1948 Palestine war. It is one of the former divisions of the Palmach, the elite fighting force of the Haganah, that remains in the Israeli Defense Forces.
| Harel Brigade | |
|---|---|
| חטיבת הראל | |
 Brigade insignia | |
| Active | 1948–present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Allegiance | Israel Defense Forces |
| Branch | Infantry |
| Type | Reserves |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | Armored Corps |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Yitzhak Rabin Joseph Tabenkin |
History edit
War of Independence edit
The Harel Brigade was established on 16 April 1948 as a division of the Palmach, immediately after Operation Nachshon. It was composed of three battalions, Sha'ar Hagai - known as the First Battalion; Ha-portzim - known as the Second Battalion; and the Giv'ati 54th Battalion.[citation needed] 1,400 men,[1] which had fought in Operation Nachshon in the Jerusalem area. Its name Harel ("Mountain of God") is taken from mount Zion in Jerusalem.[2]
This infantry unit was headed by Yitzhak Rabin, its first commander. He was later replaced by Joseph Tabenkin.[3][4] During the early phase of the 1948 Palestine War, the Israeli war of independence, the Palmach units became tactical combat units. In April 1948, the Harel brigade, AKA the 10th brigade, was formed to command all units in the Jerusalem corridor and hills. The Brigade's main assignments, besides acting as a "diversionary force" whenever needed,[citation needed] were twofold:
- To fortify the area, guarding against attacks by the local Arab forces, and gaining ground where ever possible, in order to allow passage of supply convoys to Jerusalem.
- To train and organize troops in the framework of the army-in-the-making.
Upon its establishment, the brigade commenced with Operation Harel, a direct continuation of Operation Nachshon, between 16 and 21 April 1948.[5] On April 22, the brigade was assigned to Operation Yevusi with the goal of taking control of the northern ridges overlooking Jerusalem, and then taking control of the city's southern neighborhoods. During this operation the brigade sustained thirty-three killed in the battle for Nebi Samuel and nineteen dead in the Katamon neighborhood.[6][7]
In Operation Maccabi during the first half of May 1948, the Harel Brigade took control of the Jerusalem corridor and opened the road until Shaar Hagai. On 17–19 May, a Harel force took Mount Zion and entered the Jewish Quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Later the brigade took part in Operation Danny, Operation Ha-Har, and Operation Horev.[8]
The Palmach memorial website records 274 of its members dying while fighting with the Harel Brigade. Thirty-four were killed at Nabi Samuel and eighteen in Katamon.[9]
Suez Crisis edit
In 1956, during the Suez Crisis, Kadesh Operation, the brigade fought as an infantry brigade, commanded by Shmuel Gudar. In 1959, the brigade was made into a reserve unit of the Armored Corps.
Six-Day War edit
During the Six-Day War, the Harel Brigade used Sherman tanks in fighting at Radar Hill, north of Jerusalem, and went on to capture Ramallah.
21st century edit
In 2014, the Brigade became part of the Sinai Division and it participated in Operation Protective Edge. Under Colonel Itamar Michaeli, the brigade participated in combat in and around the city of Beit Hanoun as part of Operation Swords of Iron.[10][11]
Units edit
10th Armored Brigade "Harel" (Reserve)
- 383rd Armored Battalion
- 429th Armored Battalion
- 7007th Armored Battalion
- 924th Combat Engineer Battalion
- 5358th Reconnaissance Company
- Logistics Battalion
- Signals Company
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Ben Gurion, David (1993) David Ben-Gurion, War Diaries, 1947–1949. translated by Samir Jabbour (Arabic). Institute of Palestine Studies. Page 302. (15 May 1948).
- ^ "Come, let us go to the mountain of God ... Zion" (Isaiah 2:4)
- ^ Rabin, Yitzhak (1996). The Rabin Memoirs (Illustrated ed.). University of California Press. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-520-20766-0.
- ^ Eisenberg, Ronald L. (2006). The streets of Jerusalem: who, what, why (Illustrated ed.). Devora Publishing. p. 182. ISBN 978-1-932687-54-5.
- ^ "Hativat Harel (the Harel Brigade) (10)". Palmach Information Center. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-06-14. (best viewed with Internet Explorer)
- ^ "פלמ"ח". Archived from the original on 2012-06-01. Retrieved 2010-11-23.
- ^ Dror, Zvika (2005). הראל – הקרב על ירושלים [Harel – the Battle for Jerusalem] (in Hebrew). Tel Aviv: HaKibbutz HaMeuchad.
- ^ Tal, David (2004). War in Palestine, 1948: strategy and diplomacy. Routledge. p. 407. ISBN 0-7146-5275-X.
- ^ "Palmach homepage". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (18 December 2023). "IDF signals full control over Beit Hanoun in north Gaza". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 19 December 2023. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Harel Brigade Soldiers Operate in Elkarman Area in Gaza". Israel Defence Forces. 2023-11-12. Retrieved 2023-12-27.