Southern Command

IAF Commander at crash site:

'This was an operational accident, it will be investigated'

IAF and Southern Command commanding officers visit site where a Yanshuv helicopter crashed, killing three and injuring others.

In rare ceremony:

BG Barak Hiram assumes command - deep in the Gaza Strip

BG Barak Hiram assumed the role of Commanding Officer of the Gaza Division, during a ceremony held in the Gaza Strip, replacing BG Avi Rosenfeld.

Ahead of Tisha B'Av event:

Areas in Gaza envelope declared closed military zones

Due to fears that participants in a Nachala Movement Eicha reading event will attempt to infiltrate into the Gaza Strip

Nir Oz inquiry:

Gaza Division failed, command didn't know what was happening

The inquiry into the IDF's failures in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th found a disastrous lack of understanding by the command of what was transpiring on the ground.

Southern command chief signs:

Localities near Gaza border declared closed military zones

Head of IDF Southern Command signs order to change the policy of closed military zones in several localities in the Gaza Envelope and in agricultural areas. The order is in effect until July 31.

Senior medical officer:

'Beginning of the war was chaos'

A senior medical officer of the Southern Command tells about the challenge of evacuating the wounded from the battlefield in particularly congested and challenging terrain, and how his corps has managed to recover.

Southern Commander:

'You are defeating the Rafah Brigade'

The Commanding Officer of the Southern Command, MG Yaron Finkelman, visited Rafah and met with commanders on the ground.

Minister of Defense:

'IDF left Khan Yunis to prepare for action in Rafah'

Minister of Defense Gallant held an operational assessment at the Southern Command and discussed the IDF's departure from parts of the Gaza Strip.

Otzma Yehudit MK:

'Supreme Court should publish the name of the spy'

MK Almog Cohen claims to have found the name of an IDF soldier caught releasing highly sensitive information at the beginning of the war, but the Supreme Court still refuses to allow the spy's name to be made public.

Report:

Southern Command general canceled vacation on Oct. 6

Due to evidence from the ISA, General Yaron Finkelman and ISA director Ronen Bar both made their way to their headquarters before the invasion, but no additional troops were moved south.

Defense Minister Gallant:

'Hamas leadership in Gaza is unresponsive'

Minister Gallant held an operational situation assessment at the IDF’s Southern Command HQ and stated that 200 terrorists had surrendered at Nasser Hospital and dozens had surrendered at the Amal Hospital.

IDF Southern Commander:

'We are again operating in the heart of Gaza City'

MG Yaron Finkelman held a situational assessment and conversation with commanders and soldiers in the northern Gaza Strip.

Appeal filed against closed zone at border crossings

Protesters have filed an appeal with the Supreme Court of Israel against the use of closed military zone orders to prevent protests against transferred to Gaza.

IDF Southern Commander's recommendation a year before massacre

Maj. Gen. Eliezer Toledano stated during a classified meeting that Israel must launch a preemptive strike against Hamas.

Benny Gantz in southern Israel

'We are ready for the next stage of the war'

Minister Gantz visited the IDF Southern Command and met with local leaders from the western Negev.

The “Man In The Black Shirt” visiting soldiers, people in need

Soldiers meet a man with a hot falafel for them, a struggling mother receives help with her rent, thanks to the 'man in the black shirt.'

1st night of Hanukkah in Gaza:

General to soldiers: 'You are the Maccabees of our time'

The Commander of the IDF Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman lit the menorah with reservists in the Gaza Strip.

Southern Command commander:

'The combat in Khan Yunis is a major effort'

MG Yaron Finkelman held an operational situational assessment with the IDF troops currently engaging in combat in the area of Khan Yunis.

Gallant: 'Our forces will not leave until Hamas is destroyed'

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant held a situational assessment today on the border of the Gaza Strip and praised the soldiers fighting there.

Southern Command official:

'We are preparing to continue attacking once the pause is over'

Official says operational achievements put pressure on Hamas and served as a vital tool to create the conditions for the hostage deal.

Troops receive new orders regarding graffiti in Gaza

IDF Southern Command commander Yaron Finkelman ordered soldiers to stop writing non-tactical graffiti on walls in the Gaza Strip.

Head of IDF Southern Command:

'Hamas is cynically using the hospitals in Gaza'

Commanding Officer of the Southern Command visits Shifa Hospital, sees tunnel shaft uncovered by the IDF.

IDF Southern Commander:

'War was forced on us, it will be long and intense, we will win'

Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman spoke out for the first time since the war against the Gaza terrorists began.

Yaron Finkelman appointed new commander of IDF Southern Command

Major General Finkelman takes over for outgoing commander Eliezer Toledano.

IDF takes new measures following inquireis into 2021 Gaza op.

Following three incidents during Operation Guardian of the Walls, the IDF took a series of command measures.

IDF launches surprise drill in the south

More than 3500 reservists will be mobilized for an extensive logistical drill in Israel's southern commands.

IDF commander: Barel Shmueli fired 7 bullets before he was shot

"There's no such thing as security without casualties," says commander of Gaza border region. "Nothing wrong with open-fire regulations."

PM: Hamas will receive blows it didn't expect

Netanyahu visits Southern Command as rockets continue to rain down, promises harsh response against Hamas, Islamic Jihad.

'Terrorists now know we can hit them wherever they hide'

PM holds security meeting with DM Bennett, military leaders at Southern Command headquarters, noting: "The equation has changed."

Netanyahu: We have renewed policy of targeted killings

PM holds security assessment at southern command, warns violent confrontation with Gaza not over.

Rethinking military kitchens

Southern Command completely remodels the base's kitchen, introduces far richer, more varied menu.

Gaza terrorists threaten head of Southern Command in video

'Al-Mujahideen Brigades' releases video showing commander responsible for Gaza region in sniper crosshairs, and threatening action.

'Our mission is not over until we return the soldiers'

Chief of Staff addresses recent challenges faced by Southern Command. 'While Hamas invests in terror, the IDF stands as a defensive shield.'

Officer responsible for losing classified plans imprisoned

IDF imprisons officer for 28 days after a top-secret document detailing IDF war plans against Hamas 'stolen' from Southern Command.

'Now is the time to hit Hamas'

Brigadier General (res.) Tzvika Fogel says Israel has nothing to gain by pushing off inevitable confrontation with Hamas terrorist group.

Watch: IDF Southern Command simulates terrorist infiltration

The IDF Southern Command in coordination with police and emergency bodies conducted a simulation of various terrorist infiltrations.

Southern Command: Hamas is ready for the next war

Southern Command chief, Eyal Zamir, at a conference for southern residents explained that Hamas is preparing for the next round of fighting.

President Reuven Rivlin visits Gaza border

President Rivlin reviewed military operations in the Southern Command, and thanked the soldiers for their 'sophistication and power.'

IDF holds surprise drill in the Gaza region

General staff drill to take place in southern region, with residents likely to feel heavy presence of vehicles and jets.

IDF Ups Presence Near Sinai Border Amid Heightened Tensions

Southern Command deployed in response to heightened tensions between Egypt, Sinai terror groups. 'We don't take risks,' officer explains.

IDF Official: We Will Destroy All the Tunnels

The head of the IDF’s Southern Command says Hamas has more terror tunnels and vows that the IDF will destroy them all.

IDF Commander 'Surprised' by Quick Halt to Rocket Fire

The head of the IDF’s Southern Command says he was “surprised” at how quickly the rocket fire from Gaza stopped last week.

IDF Not Ruling Out Gaza Ground Offensive

The head of the IDF’s Southern Command says that the option of a ground operation in Gaza remains on the table.

Gov't Plays Defense against Gaza Attacks

Cabinet will approve fortification of Gaza Belt communities. Soldier still in serious condition after attack.

'It's Not Over Till It's Over', Says IDF Commander

Major General Tal Russo, commander of IDF Southern Command, predicts the latest escalation is far from over.

Facing Sinai Terror: Elite Unit Welcomes New Commander

The unit was founded two years ago, when the terror threat from Sinai became a pressing problem.

Officer: Egyptians 'Working Tirelessly' against Terror

Col. Tal Hermoni: "Terrorists infiltrated under foggy conditions. Attack could have been worse."

Back to Normal on Southern Border

IDF no longer thinks there is a terrorist on the loose. Two or three terrorists were killed by Golani.

Fallen IDF Soldier Receives Posthumous Citation

First Sergeant Moshe Naftali, who was killed in a terror attack near Eilat, received a citation from the Head of Southern Command.

General: IDF Readying New Tools against Gaza

Southern Command Head Maj. Gen. Russo: Israel's south was the first to feel the brunt of "Arab Spring."

IDF 'Granite' Vehicle Debuts

New field intelligence vehicle – based on a Ford model – is to arrive in the south for tests.