Hostage Rescues, Strategic Strikes
IDF's Division 98 Details Secret Gaza Missions
Division 98 concludes a dramatic campaign across Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, combining secret operations, hostage recoveries, and thousands of strikes to dismantle terrorist networks. The elite IDF unit’s efforts paved the way for hostage returns and strategic victories, showcasing precision, bravery, and operational mastery.
A combat ceremony summarizing Division 98’s activity in Operation “Gideon’s Chariots” took place this week, led by Division Commander Brig. Gen. Guy Levi, with participation from the division’s active and reserve command.
Division 98 reviewed its activity during the military operation in Gaza. At the event, the division commander summarized the mission period in the Gaza Strip and praised the division’s soldiers, both active and reserves, for their determined and dedicated actions across various combat zones, which resulted in significant operational achievements and helped create the conditions for the agreement on the return of hostages.
Division Commander: “About two years ago, we embarked on a long, multi-front campaign to restore security, defeat Hamas, and recover the hostages. From the moment the IDF was called to action, you were here, officers, NCOs, and soldiers, active and reserves. You did not ask questions, did not hesitate, you answered the call without pause.
You did this without expecting anything in return, out of deep commitment to the security of our people and our land. Over these two years, we adhered to our goals, carried out overt and covert missions, defeated the enemy on multiple fronts, and achieved a situation where our efforts bore fruit, where we built alongside our brothers in arms.”
Division 98 forces operated across four sectors during the war, sometimes simultaneously. The division participated in hostage rescue operations in the Gaza Strip, led the entry into Lebanon, was first to enter Syria, and conducted special operations in Judea and Samaria.
During the first maneuver in Gaza, division forces took part in several secret operations that led to the recovery of 18 deceased hostages. Additionally, the division participated in Operations “Arnon” and “Yad HaZahav,” which rescued five hostages alive.
During the first Gaza maneuver, division forces eliminated thousands of terrorists and carried out thousands of airstrikes in cooperation with the Air Force.
The division led the maneuver in Lebanon with the first entry since 2006. During the operation, its forces eliminated hundreds of terrorists and destroyed over 1,200 significant and strategic Hezbollah terrorist infrastructures, alongside thousands of airstrikes in cooperation with the Air Force.
During the Lebanon operation, the division also destroyed a major underground tunnel over 1.5 kilometers long with more than 400 tons of explosives.
As part of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots,” division forces eliminated hundreds of terrorists of various ranks and terrorists who infiltrated Israel on October 7. They destroyed thousands of Hamas terrorist infrastructures and facilities in active use before the forces’ arrival.
During Operation “Gideon’s Chariots,” division forces also participated in the secret recovery of two hostage bodies.