Photos and mini-bios of several of the soldiers at the link.
[IsraelTimes] A photographer joins a majority-Muslim IDF unit along Gaza’s southern border and shares the pain of this dedicated group of fighters and trackers as they mourn their war losses.Last month, I journeyed to the southern border of Gazoo
...Hellhole adjunct to Israel and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, inhabited by Gazooks. The place was acquired in the wake of the 1967 War and then presented to Paleostinian control in 2006 by Ariel Sharon, who had entered his dotage. It is currently ruled with an iron fist by Hamas with about the living conditions you'd expect. It periodically attacks the Hated Zionist Entity whenever Iran needs a ruckus created or the hard boyz get bored, getting thumped by the IDF in return. The ruling turbans then wave the bloody shirt and holler loudly about
oppressionand
disproportionate response...
to join the IDF’s Bedouin battalion, Gadsar 585. This unique unit, operating in the desert terrain of Israel’s south, has played a critical role in the country’s defense for decades. The battalion, mostly composed of Bedouin Moslems, stands out for its diverse makeup and its soldiers’ deep-rooted connection to the land they defend.
On the morning of October 7, while on leave and replaced by another unit, they were abruptly called into action as Hamas
..one of the armed feet of the Moslem Brüderbund millipede,...’s devastating onslaught unfolded, which ultimately saw 1,200 people murdered in southern Israel, mostly civilians, and 251 kidnapped to the Gaza Strip.
Despite the chaos, the intrinsic understanding of the terrain by Gadsar 585 troops proved crucial in responding to the crisis in the Kerem Shalom region.
The idea of Moslems serving in the IDF might not align with many preconceived notions. Yet, this is one of the defining features of Gadsar 585. In addition to the Bedouin majority, the battalion also includes Jewish, Arab Israeli, and Christian soldiers.
In conversations with the Moslem soldiers, it became clear that the horrific actions of Hamas on October 7 and beyond are antithetical to the values of Islam that they hold dear. Battalion commander Nader Iada passionately asserted that there is nothing in Islam or the Koran that justifies the atrocities of murder, rape, and kidnapping committed by Hamas.
"They [the terrorists] are not Moslems," Iada stated firmly, rejecting any association of their actions with true Islamic teachings.
Since the establishment of Israel in 1948, Bedouin Israelis have consistently fought for the country. The term "Bedouin" comes from the Arabic word "Badawi," meaning people of the land and the desert. For centuries, the Bedouins have lived in and with the desert, a way of life that gives them a unique perspective and connection to their environment.
Gadsar 585, which has always operated in the southern Gaza border region, exemplifies this connection. The battalion’s soldiers are not just fighters; they are stewards of the land, drawing on generations of knowledge to navigate and protect it.
Iada emphasized their enduring commitment: "We are connected to the land; this is our country and home, and we will keep fighting to protect it." He highlighted how these values are deeply ingrained, as Bedouins continue to raise their children with a sense of duty and respect for the land they defend.
Beyond their military duties, the soldiers receive support in various forms—Hebrew lessons, driving classes, leadership seminars, and opportunities to complete their high school education. Scholarships and mentorship programs further assist them in transitioning to civilian life after their service.