Occupation of the entire Negev- 10.3.49- 15.10.49
The Negev belonged to the Jewish state according to the UN's division plan, the 'Negev' Brigade, however, managed to defend only a small amount of settlements. On September, 1948, general staff decided to occupy the entire Negev, establishing the southern front H.Q. in order to do so with the objective of occupying the Negev with in 6 months.
Iftach Brigade - The First Battalion - 3
The Negev Brigade - 4
The Negev Brigade - 5
The Negev Brigade - 6
The Negev Brigade - 7
The Negev Brigade - 8
Harel Brigade - The Fourth Battalion - 3
On September, 1948, 'Givati', 'Oded' ,8th armored and Palmach 'Yiftah' and 'Negev' Brigades participated in Operation 'Yoav' whose aim was to occupy the רצועת הניתוק in order to break the siege over the Negev. The siege was removed, but only part of the רצועת הניתוק was occupied, while the rest was contained in the Faluja pocket.
On the 21st of October, 'Negev' Brigade occupied Be'er-Sheba.
On November, 1948, during operation 'Lot', 'Negev' Brigade captured Kutnub and Ein-Husub (Hazeva).
On the 5th-8th of December, 1948, during operation 'Asaf', 'Golani' and 8th armored Brigades fought against an Egyptian infantry Brigade and an "Lcust" light tank Battalion, occupying the area bordering with Tel-Jema-Hirbet-Mayan-Dangor (Nirim). At the end of December, 1948 and beginning of January, 1949, 8th armored and Palmach 'Negev' and 'Harel' Brigades participated in operation 'Horev', during which the area between Be'er-Sheba and Nizzana was occupied. The forces invade Sinai in order to occupy the Gaza Strip only to retreat due to American and the British pressure.
The Egyptian Army remaining in the Faluja pocket and the Gaza Strip decided to sign a cease fire agreement with Israel. A Jordanian Battalion occupying the Arava in the southern Negev kept patrolling Mt. Negev. On March, 1949, 'Golani' and 'Negev' Brigades occupied the Arava during Operation 'Ovda', reaching Um-Rashrash on the Red Sea Bay.
Restrictions on opening fire were imposed due fear of British intervention. 'Golani' Brigade occupied the 'Arava'; 'Negev' Brigade advanced via Mt. Negev, established an air field in Hamadut for the air transport of men and provisions. A Company waved the Israeli flag on arriving in Um-Rashrash- the final operation the War of Independence after which the Jordanians also signed a cease fire agreement with Israel as well.
On the 21st of October, 'Negev' Brigade occupied Be'er-Sheba.
On November, 1948, during operation 'Lot', 'Negev' Brigade captured Kutnub and Ein-Husub (Hazeva).
On the 5th-8th of December, 1948, during operation 'Asaf', 'Golani' and 8th armored Brigades fought against an Egyptian infantry Brigade and an "Lcust" light tank Battalion, occupying the area bordering with Tel-Jema-Hirbet-Mayan-Dangor (Nirim). At the end of December, 1948 and beginning of January, 1949, 8th armored and Palmach 'Negev' and 'Harel' Brigades participated in operation 'Horev', during which the area between Be'er-Sheba and Nizzana was occupied. The forces invade Sinai in order to occupy the Gaza Strip only to retreat due to American and the British pressure.
The Egyptian Army remaining in the Faluja pocket and the Gaza Strip decided to sign a cease fire agreement with Israel. A Jordanian Battalion occupying the Arava in the southern Negev kept patrolling Mt. Negev. On March, 1949, 'Golani' and 'Negev' Brigades occupied the Arava during Operation 'Ovda', reaching Um-Rashrash on the Red Sea Bay.
Restrictions on opening fire were imposed due fear of British intervention. 'Golani' Brigade occupied the 'Arava'; 'Negev' Brigade advanced via Mt. Negev, established an air field in Hamadut for the air transport of men and provisions. A Company waved the Israeli flag on arriving in Um-Rashrash- the final operation the War of Independence after which the Jordanians also signed a cease fire agreement with Israel as well.