November 13, 2026
The Israeli army has begun to restructure part of its ground combat capabilities by establishing new formations called “attack brigades,” in a move aimed at developing methods of maneuver and precise fire in preparation for the next stages of military operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, according to what was revealed in a report prepared by military journalist Amir Bouhbut in the newspaper “The Jerusalem Post.”
In this context, the 215th Brigade of the Artillery Corps, led by an officer with the rank of colonel referred to by the letter “R”, is preparing to implement a large-scale operational development that changes the nature of the combat missions it undertakes. This transformation coincides with the 70th anniversary of the brigade’s founding during the Sinai Campaign in 1956, and its subsequent participation in the defense battles and the crossing of the Suez Canal in 1973, in addition to the loss of 170 soldiers throughout its history and its prominent role in recent operations.
Drawing on the lessons of war, the 215th Brigade was chosen, with the approval of the Commander of the Ground Forces, Major General Nadav Lotan, to be the first artillery formation to test the creation of “assault brigades.” The idea is based on integrating precision fire capabilities and ground support into one specialized battalion to support the brigades implementing ground maneuvers, while having the ability to carry out independent operations against targets and threats.
The project is not limited to redistributing tasks, but also includes the formation of a new reconnaissance and attack unit that includes reservists from the multi-dimensional “stealth” unit that combines technology, intelligence, and combat. This unit is scheduled to be prepared to carry out close operations in the Gaza Strip using drones, weapons systems, and secret technologies, which will lead to enhancing the army’s offensive capabilities, whether in large-scale operations or regular activities.
According to data from the Israeli Artillery Forces, the 215th Brigade claims to have killed about 3,000 militants in Gaza and Lebanon during the past three years, and fired more than 100,000 artillery shells and dozens of precision “Bar” missiles, in addition to carrying out thousands of fire support operations with drones. These numbers were recorded based on army data without independent verification. The brigade’s “Skyraider” drone unit also performed tens of thousands of flight hours to identify and confirm targets for the Southern Command, beginning to prepare for the ground attack on Gaza with approximately 7,000 shells within 48 hours.
In a testimony reported by the Walla website, the brigade commander confirmed that his forces were now able to provide fire by land, sea and air, with a focus on ground capabilities, noting that the intense bombardment contributed to reducing direct confrontations during the first stages of the incursion. He also touched on the participation of the brigade’s members in the October 7 battles through the “Erez” team in Kissufim and the “Nimri” team in Nahal Oz, recalling the story of Captain Aidan Nimri, commander of the “Skyrider” team, who was killed defending female observation soldiers in Nahal Oz after fighting until she ran out of ammunition. The brigade commander described the performance of his forces as accurate and morally disciplined, claiming that they only targeted militants and caused severe damage to the Hamas movement. These are descriptions issued by him without the results of an independent investigation.
The importance of the report with regard to the Lebanese front lies in its inclusion among the operational arenas from which the Israeli army draws its lessons to develop its capabilities, without including an announcement of a date for a new ground operation or a specific decision to launch an attack in Lebanon. Thus, the “Assault Brigades” project reflects a trend towards expanding the use of drones, reconnaissance, and precision fire within ground units, which will have repercussions on the nature of Israeli military operations across various fronts.
