Commander Marks One Year Since Gilad Division Took Responsibility on Eastern Border

A ceremony marking one year since the establishment of the Gilad Division, also known as Division 96, was held Wednesday at the Baka'a Memorial. The event was led by Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Avi Blot and Division Commander Brig. Gen. Oren Simcha, and attended by commanders, brigade leaders and soldiers from the division.

During the ceremony, Simcha said, "A year since that night when the warning siren sent the whole country into anxiety and the unknown. Overnight, the decision was made, taking responsibility and standing with what we had for the mission." He was referring to the moment when the division assumed responsibility.

The division was formed a year and a half ago and took responsibility about a year ago, at the start of Operation With the Lion. Its mission is to defend the eastern border in the Jordan Valley, the Beit She'an Valley and the Dead Sea area. Since its creation, the division has focused on stopping smuggling on the border, strengthening defenses by building a barrier, and renewing the Water Line outposts.

It has also established a command-and-control center in the Dead Sea area, described as an operational and defense force multiplier, as well as five David brigades and Flash brigades.