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| Negev Brigade | |
|---|---|
| חטיבת הנגב | |
 Negev Brigade insignia, based on thePalmach symbol | |
| Active | 1948–present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Allegiance |  Israel Defense Forces |
| Branch |  Israeli Ground Forces |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 252nd Division |
| Engagements | 1948 Arab–Israeli War |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Aluf Mishne Hebrew Elbaz |
TheNegev Brigade (Hebrew:חטיבת הנגב,Hativat HaNegev), originally the12th Brigade is an Israelireserve infantry brigade under theSinai Division, that originally served in the1948 Arab-Israeli war.
The brigade was founded in March 1948 with two battalions, the 2nd and 8th. The 7th Battalion was created in April, with the 9th Battalion being the last of the four.[1]Yisrael Galili, theHaganah Chief of Staff, andYigal Allon, the Palmach commander, chose Nachum Sarig to command the brigade in December 1947. The residents of the Negev andDavid Ben-Gurion appointedShaul Avigur instead, without Sarig's knowledge. After Avigur toured the Negev, he told Ben-Gurion that he would not be able to command the brigade, citing deteriorating health, and praised Sarig.[2]
It was commanded by Nahum "Sergei" Sarig, which is why it was also calledSergei Brigade. It consisted of fourPalmach battalions. The Negev Brigade participated in many operations in theNegev Desert, includingOperation Yoav in the latter part of the war. Sarig decided to divide the Negev into two sectors, divided by theBeersheba–Gaza road, laterHighway 25. Yigal Allon then namedHaim Bar-Lev as the commander of the southern sector—the 8th Battalion.[2]
The Palmach memorial website records the names of 312 of its members who died while in the Negev Brigade.[3]
During the 1948 war, the Negev Brigade was involved in the defence ofNegba,Kafr Daron,Be'erot Yitzhak andNirim. In October 1948 the Brigade took part in the conquest ofBeersheba. They were part of OperationsBarak,Yoav,An Far,Horev,Uvda andPleshet.
In the 1967 war, the Brigade fought in thebattle of Abu Agelia.
In the2023 Gaza war the unit saw action inBeit Hanoun,[4] the unit was later deployed in theRafah offensive.[5]
12th Infantry Brigade "Negev" (Reserve)
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| National | |
