252nd Division (Israel)

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(Redirected from Sinai Division)
252nd "Sinai" Division
עוצבת סיני
252nd Division insignia, depicting a fox similar to that of the Southern Commands logo
Founded1968–present
Country Israel
Branch Israeli Ground Forces
SizeDivision
Part ofSouthern Command
Engagements
Commanders
Current
commander
Tat Aluf Moran Omer

The 252nd "Sinai" Division (Hebrew: עוצבת סיני) is an Israel Defense Forces reserve division under the Southern Command. Formed in 1968, it was the first permanent division in the IDF. As of November 2023, it is commanded by Brigadier General Moran Omer.[1]

History[edit]

The unit was created in 1968 in an effort to unify Israeli armoured forces in the Sinai, taking an active part in the War of Attrition. It later took an active part in the Yom Kippur War.[2] During the First Lebanon War, it operated on the eastern wing of the Israeli forces pushing into Lebanon.[3] In the 21st century, the division has been charged with securing the border with Egypt.

The unit played an active role in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war. The Israel Defense Forces said that "the 252nd Division has killed hundreds of Hamas operatives, including senior members, in Beit Hanoun and Jabaliya."

Division organization 2023[edit]

252nd Division "Sinai" organization 2023
  •   252nd Division "Sinai" (Reserve)
    • 10th Armored Brigade "Harel" (Reserve)
      • 383rd Armored Battalion
      • 429th Armored Battalion
      • 7007th Armored Battalion
      • 924th Combat Engineering Battalion
      • 5358th Reconnaissance Company
      • Logistics Battalion
      • Signals Battalion
    • 12th Infantry Brigade "Negev" (Reserve)
    • 14th Armored Brigade "Machatz" (Reserve)
      • 79th Armored Battalion
      • 184th Armored Battalion
      • 8114th Armored Battalion
      • Combat Engineer Battalion
      • 5440th Reconnaissance Company
      • Logistics Battalion
      • Signals Battalion
    • 16th Infantry Brigade "Jerusalem" (Reserve)
      • 7007th Infantry Battalion
      • 8119th Infantry Battalion
      • 9207th Infantry Battalion
      • Patrol Battalion "Jerusalem"
      • Combat Engineer Battalion
      • Logistics Battalion
    • 454th Artillery Brigade "Tabor/Fire Flame" (Reserve)
      • 439th Artillery Battalion (M109)
      • 670th Artillery Battalion (M109)
      • 7394th Artillery Battalion (M109)
      • 9305th Artillery Battalion (M109)
      • Artillery Battalion (M270 MLRS)
      • Target Acquisition Battalion
    • Division Logistics Brigade
    • Division Signals Battalion

References[edit]

  1. ^ Fabian, Emanuel. "IDF says its entire 252nd Reserve Division is operating inside Gaza". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  2. ^ "Testimony of Baruch Harel, Deputy Commander of the Division Before the Agranat Commission," The Israel Defense Forces and Defense Establishment Archives (IDFA), 1974.
  3. ^ The Sinai Division during the Lebanon War" (Hebrew), Ma'arachot, 413, pp.32-39 (July 2007).