The ultra-Orthodox Netzah Yehuda Battalion will be awarded a commendation for its role in the war at a ceremony led by Maj. Gen. Avi Blot, head of the IDF Central Command, set to take place Wednesday.
Capt. Y., a company commander in the battalion, told Ynet that securing the Gaza border region will be the IDF’s most urgent task after the war ends. “The defense front is the most important mission for the day after,” he said. “The safety of the residents of the Gaza border region is what guides us.” He added that motivation within the battalion has transformed since the war began: “Everyone here chose to stand up and enlist. It’s a completely different story from before.”
Netzah Yehuda Brigade troops operating in northern Gaza
(Video: IDF)
Netzah Yehuda, originally formed to accommodate religious soldiers seeking a strictly observant military environment, began the war deployed on the Syrian border and in the Golan Heights, helping secure Israel’s northern defense line. The unit was later sent south to join the Northern Brigade in Gaza, operating primarily in Beit Hanoun, Jabaliya and Rafah. According to the IDF, the battalion played a role in the mission that killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and also assisted in evacuating Palestinian civilians to ensure their safety.
“I’ve spent my entire service in Netzah Yehuda and I love this battalion deeply,” said Capt. A., another officer in the unit. “You can’t put into words what it means to be part of it. In the past, families would sometimes reject a son who enlisted, but today, parents understand exactly why their sons are here—and we feel their support.”
He added that each assignment is initially daunting, “especially over time,” but the soldiers consistently rise to the challenge. “We always end with a smile and a sense of accomplishment—at the highest standard.”
According to Capt. Y., roughly 90% of his company consists of Haredi soldiers. “They insist on being here, on fighting and on making a difference,” he said. “Even after their service, they remain religious. They leave here stronger—both as fighters and in their identity.” He described the unit as a blend of lone soldiers, supportive families and determined fighters. “May all our soldiers have that same commitment, that same faith and that same strength,” he said.
Capt. Y. also reflected on his own journey. He enlisted in Netzah Yehuda seeking a framework that would allow him to combine Torah values with meaningful military service. “I started as a squad commander, then led a platoon during training and later took on roles as deputy company commander, company commander and finally operations officer. Each position gave me new skills,” he said.
During the war, he was moderately wounded when a terrorist shot him in the head. After undergoing three months of surgeries and recovery, he returned to active duty. “I knew my service mattered,” he said.
Today, he commands a training company overseeing five platoons. “Our atmosphere is top-notch,” he said. “We provide everything for our recruits—study time, prayer and full support. The recruitment process is complex, but we’re changing things. These young men connect to the Land of Israel and to our people. They arrive as kids who only think about themselves, and they leave as soldiers with purpose and responsibility.”
He added, “What pushed me to enlist were the people who believed in me. Without their support, I might never have taken this step.”