Maj. R., the logistics officer of IDF Division 96, says the new eastern division was created to significantly reinforce Israel’s defenses along the eastern frontier, especially after lessons learned from October 7. He told Channel 7 that the situation before the division was established was sparse, with only one brigade on the eastern border under Central Command.
The division’s buildup has focused on raising reserve formations drawn from local residents, including two “David” brigades, Jerusalem Brigade and the Jezreel Valleys Brigade. R. said these units were created to strengthen the eastern border, and that the division now has more than 15,000 fighters, commanders, and combat support troops who returned to reserve service.
At the same time, the division is also forming new regular units, including an intelligence battalion and a Dead Sea regional command battalion that has recently been established to cover the Dead Sea area. To support those forces in the Jordan Valley, the valleys, and the Dead Sea region, the logistics branch has been building new bases and renovating old ones.
One major project has been restoring “Water Line” posts that had been abandoned since the 1970s. R. said they entered those positions during Operation With the Lion, repaired them, and made them a central part of the division’s defense concept. The division describes itself as a mobile defensive formation on the eastern front, and R. said it was activated in both recent operations, With the Lion and Roar of the Lion, for reinforcement duties. He said he will consider the buildout complete only when all units and Water Line posts are finished, allowing the army to provide the best possible protection for troops and residents in the area.
