Our Role in Operation Swords of Iron

On 7 October, over 100,000 fighters and tens of thousands of combat supporters were called up to take part in Israel's ongoing war — the Swords of Iron war.

Many units were mobilised for the campaign in Gaza, among them the 7020 Battalion — a battalion of the 5th Brigade in the 162nd Division — and its "Mesayaat" Auxiliary Company of roughly 120 soldiers.

The Auxiliary Company of the 7020 Battalion previously lost 13 of its fighters in a hard battle in the Jenin refugee camp, during Operation Defensive Shield in 2002.

As in the past, the Company's fighters were called up by emergency order and went directly to the communities around the Gaza envelope, and have taken an active part in the war ever since — in both field and urban warfare, where every day presents a potential risk to their lives as they strive to secure Israel's future.

The association, originally established to commemorate the Company's fallen fighters and to care for the Company's past and present fighters, has joined the effort and equips the Company's fighters with the gear they need in order to keep them safe and able to carry out their duties as effectively as possible.

We are approaching many parties and raising funds through our existing platform to improve combat equipment and to support the fighters.

The association holds an approval under Section 46 of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance, and donations to it are recognised by the tax authorities accordingly.

All members of the association still serve in the reserves (apart from Shaul Golomb, the father of Oded of blessed memory) and are mobilised for the war effort on the southern front.