Givati Brigade Commander: IDF Holds Strong Defensive Lines But Must Remain Vigilant
Givati Brigade Commander Col. Netanel Simcha reflects on three years of war, ongoing security operations along the Gaza border and Lebanon, and maintaining troop morale.
Three years after the outbreak of the war, the Givati Brigade remains one of the most prominent combat units in the Israel Defense Forces, having spent two consecutive years operating in the Gaza Strip. In an interview marking the third anniversary of the conflict, Brigade Commander Col. Netanel Simcha discussed the current security situation, the challenges of transitioning from active maneuver to defensive routines, and the morale of his troops.
"The situation in Gaza is much calmer now," Simcha said. "Hamas still exists, and we must hold the yellow line. However, we have dismantled 80% of Hamas's significant capabilities and destroyed 90% of its tunnels. Hamas still has Kalashnikovs, short-range rockets, and other capabilities, and terrorists can still attempt to infiltrate outposts or move toward the fence. But Hamas no longer has the ability to raid communities, which is why we remain on the yellow line. I do not foresee a reality in which we abandon the yellow line."
Remembering October 7 and Rebuilding Trust
Simcha emphasized that the relative quiet must not lead to complacency, urging ongoing vigilance and remembrance of the events of October 7, 2023. At the same time, he praised the resilience of the military, stating that no other army could have recovered so effectively from such a severe initial failure to achieve decisive results against Hamas, Iran, and Hezbollah.
Addressing the issue of public trust in the military, Simcha noted that trust has not fully returned to pre-war levels. "It is a significant process. Operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, and elsewhere are rebuilding that trust. We were all caught in a flawed conceptual framework. I do not take lightly what happened to us. We are a society that does not seek war; we want to live peacefully next to our neighbors, but they do not want that. There has been a sobering realization in the IDF. I hope this holds for more than 50 years. The challenge for all of us will be to preserve this over time."
Since the outbreak of the war, the Givati Brigade has lost 82 of its soldiers. Eight of them were killed during combat in southern Lebanon, mostly as a result of explosive drones. Simcha noted that the most significant operational milestone during his tenure was the "Gideon's Chariots II" operation, which successfully secured the return of fallen soldiers' bodies, including Hadar Goldin and Asaf Hamami.
Maneuvers in Gaza and the Battle for the Beaufort Ridge
Following the conclusion of intensive operations in Gaza, the Givati Brigade was deployed to the northern border for the first time in the war, later participating in heavy fighting in southern Lebanon, including Al-Khiam, Einata, Bint Jbeil, and the Beaufort Ridge. The brigade's troops were among the first to cross the Litani River during the push to capture the Beaufort position.
Reflecting on the threat of explosive drones in the north, which claimed the lives of several soldiers, Simcha acknowledged the initial challenges but pointed to significant improvements in defense systems, radars, and warning mechanisms. "There is never 100%, just as ceramic armor is not 100%. But today the situation is much better than when we entered the fighting against explosive drones," he said.
Maintaining Morale and Addressing Discipline
Despite three years of continuous combat, Simcha reported that he does not sense operational fatigue among regular conscripts and commanders. "I was privileged to command the best fighters and commanders in the IDF. Every eight months company commanders change, and every two months battalion commanders rotate. In a regular brigade, I do not feel the burnout. People want to take on command roles," he said.
Addressing a recent disciplinary incident in the Tzabar Battalion, where dozens of soldiers temporarily left their base following a dispute over unauthorized insignia, Simcha explained that the situation stemmed from the difficult transition from active combat maneuvering back to military routine. He noted that the core issue involved older soldiers intimidating younger recruits with inappropriate symbols, leading to swift disciplinary intervention and the dismissal of the instigators.
"A soldier in Lebanon or Gaza was used to carrying grenades and keeping a round in the chamber. Suddenly he goes home and has to adapt. We were an army on the offensive, and now we have transitioned to defense. It takes time to get the operation back on track," Simcha said.
Finally, touching upon the polarized political atmosphere surrounding upcoming elections, Simcha emphasized that unity prevails within the ranks of the brigade. "In the Givati Brigade, we have everything—religious nationalists, secular soldiers, people from Eilat and Metula. Inside an armored personnel carrier or a tank, there is true unity. I have soldiers who vote for Otzma Yehudit and others who vote for Yair Golan, and I make space for everyone. They must never know my political views; everyone must feel comfortable serving in Givati."
