1956 Husan Raid: The Historic First Brigade Operation by Paratroopers

In October 1956, during the Sukkot holiday, paratroopers of the Israel Defense Forces undertook their first brigade-level operation in the hills above Mevo Beitar. The night raid on the Jordanian police fortress in Husan, prompted by a series of cross-border attacks, achieved its objective of destroying the stronghold but exacted a heavy human toll with ten soldiers killed and sixteen wounded.

Leadership and Execution

Commanded by Ariel Sharon, the operation marked a turning point in military tactics as two battalions maneuvered together under unified brigade control. Before deployment, commanders such as Mordechai Gur and Rafael Eitan briefed their troops, emphasizing decisive engagement. Units led by officers including David Ben-Uziel and Aryeh Biro secured supply routes and successfully ambushed Jordanian Legion reinforcements, even capturing an armored vehicle as war trophy.

The mission was executed to perfection and the police station was blown to smithereens, but we paid a heavy price against Legion soldiers who fought with fierce courage. - Moshe Dayan

Medical Miracles and Legacy

Amid intense combat at Khirbat Umm Qala and the Hamsa outpost, heavy casualties tested the resilience of the forces. Captain Yakov Klein, severely wounded by a grenade, was mistakenly placed among the dead before a fellow soldier detected a faint breath and evacuated him to Hadassah Hospital, saving his life. Historians and researchers later documented the battle, ensuring that the legacy of those who fought remains preserved for future generations.