Something for people in India especially the urban educated and those in power to appreciate and understand.
IDF Signals Intelligence losses in the first 24 hrs was nothing short of catastrophic. Unit 414, The Nesher (Vulture) Battalion, a pivotal piece of the IDF Combat Intelligence Collection Corps, lost 19 personnel KIA and its base infrastructure was heavily damaged during the Hamas assault on Camp Urim.
Gaza Division Signals Battalion Commander was KIA at Camp Re'im, along with the Multi-dimensioned "Ghost'' Unit Commander.
Perhaps even more dramatic were the heavy losses of IDF special forces. All SOF (Special Operations Forces) units which responded to the attacks suffered heavy casualties, both to ambushes prepared by Hamas and also during clearing operations of the Hamas-occupied bases and kibbuzim (Civilians had to be rescued, despite casualties).
Israel's premier SOF unit Sayaret Matkal suffered 11 KIA, which is 5-10% of its total number of operators. Shayetat 13 Naval Special Forces (another tier 1 unit) lost its Unit Commander. The airborne Shaldag Special Operations lost 5 KIA and at least as many heavily injured in multiple engagements.
Other losses. 933rd Nahal Infantry Brigade suffered 23 KIA at Karem Shalom checkpoint, including the Brigade Commander and the Commander of the Brigade Reconnaisance Battalion and his deputy. More or less the entire Nahal Brigade Command Cell suffered very heavy losses.
Overall it is clear why IDF is very, very annoyed and not just because of the civilian casualties. The combat losses it suffered on 07 Oct including from among its most elite units, represent a humiliating defeat for the IDF. Under the pressure of the assault and especially the loss of its HQ at Re'im, IDF Southern Command's Gaza Division collapsed. SOF units were unable to compensate and were hammered badly. SIGINT personnel and infrastructure were destroyed, key unit commanders were killed. It was a mess.
A country only gets to know the role/importance of its Armed Forces when the military fails.
Ordinarily, we just take our safety for granted and wonder - why have Armed Forces? It is such a huge burden on the economy, there's been no war.
The role of Armed Forces is to project National Power and prevent war. Wars happen only when your military is perceived "weak" by your enemies and when your enemies are convinced that there is adequate disparity in military capabilities and there is a fair chance of winning a military engagement.
My take
Peace prevails when your Military is powerful and deters the enemies from trying any adventure.
Tailpiece.
Got up a trifle before 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9.
My laptop gives me enormous problems; sorted it out to a certain extent.
A quiet evening.
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