The Givati Brigade: Protecting Israel's Southern Border

The Givati Brigade is under the control of the IDF’s Southern Command, and is responsible for executing missions and performing regular operations to maintain the security of Israel’s south.

The Givati Brigade (literally “Hill Brigade” in English) was originally founded in 1947 and participated in Israel’s first war, the 1948 War of Independence.

The brigade’s notable battalions include Shaked, which was established in 1955 to protect Israelis on the Israel-Egypt border by serving as a barrier for any attempted infiltration. The unit is comprised of soldiers from many different backgrounds, including Bedouins, Druze and Jews.

Givati battalions have participated in all recent operations in and around Gaza, including Operation Cast Lead and Operation Protective Edge. In 2009, the Brigade was awarded a medal of honor for its service in Gaza, where it executed missions against ammunition smuggling.