The Hasmonean Brigade is set to enter active combat in Gaza for the first time on Sunday. The reserve company of the ultra-Orthodox battalion, comprising several dozen soldiers, will join IDF forces operating in the northern Gaza Strip as part of a prolonged mission expected to last approximately three and a half weeks.
The battalion’s deployment comes amid an intense public and political debate over the issue of drafting Haredi men into military service. Now, with the Haredi unit preparing for full deployment in Gaza, the move carries clear symbolic significance: the direct integration of ultra-Orthodox soldiers into the heart of combat operations.
Already Trained Inside the Strip
The Hasmonean Brigade soldiers entered Gaza last Thursday for a full-day training exercise, during which they practiced base routine, radio protocol, and operating in enemy territory. The drill was part of early preparations for full deployment. Most of the soldiers come from Haredi service tracks and are certified at Rifleman Level 07, qualifying them for combat missions.
“There’s a sense of something big happening here,” one soldier told Yehuda Schlesinger of Israel Hayom. “We may be reservists, but we’ve been working hard for months. We studied, trained, ran—and now we’re ready for war. For us, this isn’t just a mission—it’s Kiddush Hashem (a sanctification of God’s name).”
Full Participation in Combat Operations
According to reports, the battalion is expected to operate in northern Gaza alongside regular IDF units, as part of efforts to establish continuous control over the area, eliminate terrorist infrastructure, and create tactical stability. Initially, the battalion will focus on guard duty, base operations, and maintaining a security presence—but military sources say it is also prepared for potential combat scenarios.
