99th Infantry Division (Israel)
The Israeli 99th "Ha'Bazak" Infantry Division is a reserve division under the aegis of the Central Command.
| 99th Ha'Bazak Division | |
|---|---|
| עוצבת הבזק | |
99th Ha'Bazak Division Tag | |
| Founded | 2020–present |
| Country | Israel |
| Branch | Israeli Ground Forces |
| Size | Division |
| Motto(s) | רָצוֹא וָשׁוֹב כְּמַרְאֵה הַבָּזָק (Desire and return like the appearance of lightning) |
| Engagements | 2023 Israel–Hamas war |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Tat Aluf Barak Hiram |
On 15 September 2020, the division was established by Avi Rosenfeld and was based on the design of the Idan Division that was closed. It was the only brigade in the IDF not routinely subordinate to regional command, but instead under the command of the Maneuvering System in the Ground Forces.
In July 2023, the Chief of General Staff, Lt. Gen. Herzl Halevi, approved the subordination of the brigade to the Central Command. As part of this change, the multidimensional special operations Unit 888 (Wraith's Unit), left Brigade 99 and remained subordinate to the Maneuvering System.
Following a surprise attack on the Gaza envelope in October 2023, the division commander, Brig. Gen. Barak Hiram, operated with forces under his command from the division and other units to cleanse the area in the Gaza envelope, particularly in Kibbutz Be'eri.
As part of the ground manoeuvre in the Gaza Strip during the Operation Iron Sword, the division manoeuvred in southern Gaza and destroyed terrorist infrastructure, weaponry, and Hamas tunnels.