| 143rd Division "Firefox" | |
|---|---|
 143rd Division "Firefox" patch | |
| Country |  Israel |
| Branch |  Israeli Ground Forces |
| Type | Combined arms |
| Size | Division |
| Part of | Southern Command |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Tat AlufAvi Rosenfeld |
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The143rd Division "Firefox", also known asGaza Division, is a division subordinated to IsraeliSouthern Command. Its area of operation is the border with theGaza Strip and surrounding area. The division's commander is Brigadier-GeneralAvi Rosenfeld, who replacedNimrod Aloni in August 2022.[1][2]
The Gaza Division had been entrusted with the safety and security of Jewish settlers in theGaza Strip after theSix-Day War in times of peace and armed conflict. In August 2005, the division, along with the rest of the IDF, officially ended its presence in the Gaza Strip as part ofIsraeli unilateral disengagement whenJewish settlements were dismantled. However, the Gaza Division has repeatedly entered the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks from Palestinian militant groups based in Gaza.[3]
In September 2015, the division was renamed 143rd "Firefox" Division.[citation needed]
In October 2023, the division was part of theBattle of Re'im where Hamas temporarily took control of the Re'im Army Base and had taken several Israeli soldiers captive, resulting in the death of Lt. Col. Sahar Makhlouf.[4]
143rd Division "Firefox"
261st Infantry Brigade "Ramon" (Reserve) (formed by theIsraeli Ground Forces' Officers School; will transfer to the252nd Division in 2026)
6643rd Territorial Brigade "Katif" (Southern Gaza)
7643rd Territorial Brigade "Gefen" (Northern Gaza)
481st Division Signal Battalion
414thField Intelligence Battalion "Nesher/Eagle"Authority control databases: National |
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