1 Introduction
The 1st “Golani” Brigade is an Israeli infantry brigade and is one of five infantry brigades within the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Formed during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War it has since participated in all of Israel’s major wars and nearly every single one of its major operations. Many of its commanding officers have become IDF Chief of Staff with several reaching the rank of major general (Aluf). The Golani Brigade has an extensive history and is well-prepared to meet any threat that Israel may face, whether that is from Palestinian resistance factions or hostile nations.
2 Motto, Symbols, Patches and History of the Golani Brigade
1.1 Motto of the Golani Brigade
The motto of the Golani Brigade is
“The No. 1 Brigade”.
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1.2 Symbols of the Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade was originally formed from farmers and new immigrants to the state of Israel and this connection to the land is represented through its beret. Therefore, Golani Brigade soldiers wear a brown beret in order to represent this connection to the earth.
1.2.1 Olive Tree
Additionally, the Golani Brigade also enshrines their connection to the land in their unit symbol. This is a green olive tree against a yellow background.

This symbol was drawn by the 12th Battalion’s Intelligence officer who originated from a kibbutz known as Beit Keshet. This Kibbutz is home to several olive trees however other sources claim it is an oak tree located in the moshava, Yavne’el.
The colours of the symbol also have a deeper meaning which is:
- Green – The green represents the hills of Galilee where the brigade was stationed at the time of its creation.
- Yellow – The yellow represents the role which the brigade played in 1948 when it captured Umm-Rashrash, now Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city.

1.3 Patches of the Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade also uses the aforementioned olive tree symbol which represents their unit as a patch.
1.4 History of the Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade has an extensive history dating back to the formation of the unit in 1948 with the creation of the state of Israel.
1.4.1 War of Independence and the Involvement of the Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade took part in several battles in the north of the country during the War for Independence. This includes the Battle for Tiberias and skirmishes around the city of Safed. In May 1948, the 12th and 13th Battalions captured the cities of al-Shajara and Beit She’an. Following these operations, the brigade handed over control of the northeastern part of their sector to the Oded Brigade.
Later in 1948, the Golani Brigade defended the kibbutzim of Degania Alef and Bet against both Syrian And Iraqi forces. They mounted successful operations in the Kinarot Valley and they also repelled attacks in the Battle of Gesher.
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1.4.1.1 Battle of the Ten Days
The Brigade’s actions played a significant role in repelling the invading Arab Liberation Army’s (ALA) attack on Sejera. This occurred during a period known as the Battle of the Ten Days. This period (between 8-18 July 1948) saw the Egyptian forces under General Muhammad Naguib renew the war the day before the expiration of the truce on 8 July by attacking Negba.
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1.4.2 Involvement in the Conclusion of the War of Independence
The Golani Brigade also participated in the capture of Nazareth, Lubya and other Palestinian villages during Operation Dekel and took part in Operation Hiram. During this, they staged diversionary attacks before capturing several villages in the region.
The Brigade shifted its operations towards the south during another operation known as Operation Horev and this allowed them to engage Egyptian forces in the Gaza Strip. In March 1949 they played a key role in capturing umm Rashrash (modern-day) Eilat which marked the conclusion of the war.
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1.4.3 Post-Independence War Activity
After the War of Independence, the Brigade absorbed a large number of immigrants, some of whom could not speak Hebrew. This newly reorganized brigade saw its first action post-war against Syrian forces who had captured Tel Mutila in the North of Israel and they suffered a high amount of casualties.
In October 1955 the Golani Brigade participated in a retaliatory raid across the border from Nitzana. Alongside the Paratrooper Brigade, the Golani carried out reprisal attacks against Egyptian forces due to recurrent provocation. They also carried out a joint operation alongside the Paratrooper Brigade against outposts which threatened the region surrounding the Sea of Galilee.
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1.4.4 Golani Brigade from 1956 to the 1967 ‘Six Day War’
The Golani Brigade captured territory in the Rafah area during the Sinai Campaign in 1956 to provide IDF armoured forces with a clearer road into Egyptian territory.
The Brigades next major activity occurred in 1960 following the Syrian Army’s harassment of farmers in the demilitarized zone in Northern Israel. A Golani brigade force attacked a Syrian outpost at Tawfiq and two years later in 1962, they carried out another attack against the Nukeib outpost in Syria.
The Golani Brigade also took part in the 1967 ‘Six-Day War’, fighting in the Jordan/Syrian region of the war. In Nablus, the Brigade engaged in urban combat, and on the Golan Heights, they fought in the battles at Tel Azizyat and Tel Fahr.
Brigade forces also supported armoured units in the capture of Zaurah and Banias. Elements of the Golani Brigade were deployed by helicopter to Mount Hermon. After the fighting ended, the Brigade engaged in counter-terrorist operations along the Suez Canal and in Southern Lebanon.
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1.4.5 1973 Yom Kippur War
Before the fighting began, the Golani Brigade deployed to the northern sector of the Golan Heights to man outposts located there. These outposts faced intense attacks from the Syrian Army and sustained multiple air strikes. The Brigade blocked possible transportation routes which the Syrians were attempting to use and the Brigades subsequently went on to take part in joint operations with IDF armored forces.
After regaining the territories lost in the fighting up until the ceasefire line (‘purple line’), the Brigade joined up with Rafael Eitan’s division in order to contribute to the push into Syria.
In the early stages of the Yom Kippur War, Syrian forces captured the Mount Hermon outpost, known to Israelis as “the eyes of the State,” from the IDF. Prioritizing its recapture, the Golani Brigade launched an assault, enduring heavy casualties in the process.
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1.4.6 Golani Brigade and Operation Entebbe
The Golani Brigade took part in Operation Entebbe in 1976 in order to free hostages held in Uganda by Palestinian and German terrorists. Colonel Uri Sagi led the Golani force to secure the C-130 Hercules aircraft for the hostages’ evacuation. They also manoeuvred it as close as possible to the terminal and assisted in boarding the hostages.
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1.4.7 Operations of the Brigade in Southern Lebanon and the First Lebanon War
During the 1970s, the Brigade fought several battles in the First Lebanon War, including the assault on the PLO-held Beaufort Castle on 6 June. During this battle, the IDF successfully captured the Castle and suffered 6 casualties, of which there was some controversy regarding friendly fire incidents.
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1.4.8 Second Intifada and the Second Lebanon War
After the start of the Second Intifada in 2000, Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield in 2002. In this conflict, the Golani Brigade participated in a number of battles against Palestinian militant groups. This includes the Siege of Ramallah Mukataa, the capture of Tulkarm and the Battle of Jenin.
During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, the Brigade took part in the Battle of Maroun al-Ras and also the Battle of Bint Jbeil. During the Battle of Bint Jbeil, Major Roi Klein leapt onto a grenade thrown over a wall, sacrificing his life when it detonated.
1.4.9 Golani Brigade from 2007-2022
Post-Second Lebanon War the Golani Brigade has participated in numerous IDF campaigns in Gaza and throughout Israel. In 2009 the Brigade participated in Operation Cast Lead, also referred to as the Battle of al-Furqan or the 2008-2009 Gaza War.
During Operation Cast Lead, three Israeli soldiers died in a friendly-fire incident when a tank accidentally fired a live round at an abandoned building in Jabalya where Golani Brigade forces were taking cover. Twenty other soldiers were injured, and three were severely wounded.
Following the deployment of Golani Brigade soldiers into Hebron in December 2011, multiple reports emerged in the press of the poor conduct of the Brigade. Reports revealed that soldiers had engaged in beating and intimidation of children and teenagers, as well as the forcible entry into homes and reprisals carried out against local and international human rights activists.
1.4.9.1 Casualties During Operation Protective Edge
In the early hours of 20 July 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, thirteen Golani Brigade soldiers died. The timeline of casualties during that morning is as follows:
- 1:05 AM – Seven soldiers were killed when their M113 APC rode over an explosive device, detonating it and killing them.
- 1:30 AM – One soldier died after two Golani Brigade soldiers got into a firefight with militants.
- 5:45 AM – Two soldiers died after getting into a firefight with a group of militants.
- 8:50 AM – Three soldiers died after getting trapped inside a burning building.
[Source]
1.4.10 The Golani Brigade during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War
The Golani Brigades 13th and 51st Battalions suffered high amounts of casualties and wounded personnel during the opening days of the October 7 Attacks by Hamas. According to the IDF, at least 72 Golani Brigade soldiers were killed and an unknown number of them had been captured defending the Iron Wall. The Iron Wall is a border barrier located on the Israeli side of the Israel-Gaza border.
The fact that Hamas fighters had breached 29 separate points of the aforementioned Iron Wall led to high amounts of confusion and casualties among the Golani Brigade. This was due to the fact that each specific unit believed that the base or command post that they were defending was the focus of fighting and therefore they learned too late that there were almost thirty breaches along the wall.
Golani Brigade soldiers did not receive any intel that Hamas was preparing to breach the wall and at Nahal Oz and Re’im, two Israeli military bases, they were completely overwhelmed.
The 13th Battalion suffered a casualty amount that surpassed the number of soldiers they had lost in both the Six-Day War and the Yom Kippur War combined (41 killed and 91 wounded).
Seven Golani Brigade soldiers were killed on 12 December 2023 when they triggered a booby-trapped building and were subsequently ambushed by Hamas fighters. Most of the casualties were high-ranking officers such as Colonel Yitzhak Ben-Bashat and Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Grinberg. Lieutenant Colonel Tomer Grinberg had fought in the battles surrounding Nahal Oz just two months earlier.
[Source, source, source, source, source]
2 Organization, Training Process and Notable Members of the Golani Brigade
2.1 Organisation of the Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade is organized (as of 2023) into several Battalions and each has its own special designated role. This is as follows:
2.1.1 12th Infantry Battalion “Barak”
The Barak Battalion is one of two original battalions and initially oversaw the protection of the Sea of Galilee. Named after a Biblical general and a judge of the nation of Israel Barak, who defeated the Canaanite armies led by their commander Sisera.
The Barak infantry battalion participated in several major battles during the war of independence such as – Ein Gev, Gesher, Sajra, the skirmish at Tiberius and also the capture of the Tzemach structure. Additionally, the battalion is famous for its participation in the battle of Tel Fahr in the Golan Heights during the Six-Day War.
2.1.2 13th Infantry Battalion “Gideon”
The Gideon Battalion was also another one of the original battalions of the Golani Brigade alongside the aforementioned Barak Battalion. Taking its name from Gideon, who was a military leader and judge in Ancient Israel who oversaw the victory over the Midianites in the Bible.
The Gideon Battalion has taken part in many battles throughout its history. This includes the battle for Jenin and the ‘Asaf’ operation during the War for Independence in 1948. Additionally, the Gideon Battalion took part in the capture of the Banias structure during the Six-Day War and also the battle for position 107 during the Yom Kippur War.
2.1.3 51st Infantry Battalion “HaBok’im HaRishon/First Breachers”
The ‘First Breachers’ Battalion, also known as the 51st Infantry Battalion, joined the Golani Brigade in 1956. Its original purpose was to weaken the fortifications in the Negev and to provide a path for the rest of the Israeli forces to engage the Egyptian Army in 1948. It was one of the first battalions to engage Egyptian forces and breakthrough, therefore earning them the name ‘The First Breachers’
The Battalion has taken part in numerous campaigns and battles such as the conquest of Rafah during the Sinai Campaign as mentioned prior and also the capture of Tel Azazit during the Six-Day War. Also, the battalion took part in the recapture of Mount Hermon during the Yom Kippur War.
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2.1.3 Gadsar (Gdud Sayeret) Reconnaissance Battalion
The Gadsar Reconnaissance Battalion is a special operations-capable battalion of the IDF within the Golani Brigade. This battalion is broken down into three further specialties which are as follows:
- Pulsar – Reconnaissance Company
- Palnat/Orev – Anti-Tank Company
- Palhan – Engineering and Explosives Company
- Egoz – Guerilla and Urban Warfare Unit

2.1.5 Other Battalions within the Golani Brigade
Additionally, the Golani Brigade contains several other battalions which include:
- (631st) Patrol Battalion “Golani”
- 7086th Combat Engineer Battalion “Alon” (Reserve)
- Logistics Battalion “Golani”
- 351st Signals Company “Golani”
2.2 Training of the Golani Brigade
The Golani Brigade training process is as follows:
- Basic Training – Basic training for the Golani brigade lasts four months and covers a wider variety of training areas. This includes marksmanship classes, basic field navigation training, open space warfare training, helicopter deployment, special weapons and physical fitness training, krav maga martial arts and also general military education classes. At the end of this training period, recruits are classified as class 05 riflemen.
- Advanced Training – Advanced training lasts three months (13 weeks) and covers more advanced training areas. This includes close-quarters-battle (CQB), anti-guerilla warfare, Hummer/Humvee/HMMWV, Armored Personnel Carrier (APC), grenade, and parachute training. At the end of this advanced training period, recruits are classified as class 07 riflemen.
- The Advanced Training period ends with a fully equipped 50-90 kilometre march after which graduates are given their brown berets.
- Post-Advanced training – After the advanced training period graduates join their various battalions and continue training in their specialized roles.
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2.3 Notable members
The Golani Brigade has several notable members and commanders such as:
- Moshe Mann – Moshe Mann immigrated from the Austro-Hungarian Empire (from Turka – now Ukraine) and lived in a kibbutz near Haifa. Mann was originally appointed to head the newly formed Levanoni Brigade and when the 1947-1948 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine broke out he was given command of the newly formed Golani Brigade. The most notable event during his command was the Battle of the Kinarot Valley in May 1948. [Source]

- Mordechai Gur – Mordecahi Gur was the commander of the Golani Brigade from 1961-1963. In 1966 he was appointed as the commander of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade (Reserve) and took part in the capture of Jerusalem from Jordanian forces. He was known for, upon reaching the Western Wall and the Temple Mount, broadcasting
“The Temple Mount is in our hands!” – “ !הר הבית בידינו”
[Source]

- Erez Gerstein – Erez Gerstein was an Israeli Brigadier General who died in the South Lebanon conflict after an IED laid by a Hezbollah operative exploded and killed him, two accompanying officers and a reporter. Gerstein was a platoon leader in a renaissance company and fought at the aforementioned Battle of the Beaufort Castle in the 1982 Lebanon War. [Source]
- Ghassan Alian – Ghassan Alian is an Israeli-Druze Major General (Aluf) in the IDF. He was the Chief Infantry and Paratroopers Officer and the commanding officer of the Golani Brigade from 2013-2016. He was the second ever Druze officer to command an IDF infantry Brigade, the first being Imad Fares who was the commander of the Givati Brigade. [Source]

3 Equipment and Vehicles of the Golani Brigade
3.1 Equipment and Weapons
The Golani Brigade utilizes a variety of weapons and equipment which is available to other regular IDF units. This includes but is not limited to:
- Assault Rifles
- IWI X95 – 5.56x45mm NATO
- Machine Guns (MGs)
- Negev LMG variants
- Negev NG-5 – 5.56x45mm NATO
- Negev NG-7 – 7.62x51mm NATO
- FN MAG – 7.62x51mm NATO
- M2 Browning – .50 BMG/12.7x99mm NATO
- Negev LMG variants
- Sniper Rifles
- M24 SWS – 7.62x51mm NATO
- Barak – .338 Lapua Magnum
- Rocket and Missile Launchers
- M72 LAW – 66mm
- RPG-7 – 85mm cartridge
- Rafael MATADOR AS – Anti-structure with two modes
- Anti-emplacement – enhanced blast effect to defeat structures and fortifications
- Penetrating – penetrating/mouse-holing mode to defeat vehicles and create mouseholes in walls for soldiers to breach
- TOW missiles
- Spike ATGM


3.2 Vehicles
The Golani Brigade uses several different vehicles which include but are not limited to:
- IDF Achzarit APC
- IDF M-113 APC
- IDF Namer – Replaced both the M113 and the Achzarit APCs



4 Conclusion
The Golani Brigade is an extensively utilized and highly active IDF infantry Brigade. Historically dating back to the War of Independence in 1948 it has an extensive history taking part in all of the major conflicts in which Israel has been involved. The outbreak of the 2023 Israel-Hamas/Gaza War has seen the Brigade take large amounts of casualties and injuries. Despite this, the Brigade is poised to continue to take part in Israeli operations for the foreseeable future.