Amir Rapaport -- Beyond the fact that Iran was forced this week to appoint the uncharismatic Naim Qassem as the organization's secretary-general, I also learned of the heroism of the "Alon" Brigade fighters, who were called for their third reserve round during "Iron Swords" last month.

The "Alon," Brigade 228,  was formed under the Northern Command's 146th Division (formerly 319), "Alon" is a relatively "ordinary" infantry brigade in the IDF reserves, with most of its forces made up of veterans of the Nahal Brigade. Its commander, Colonel Yaniv Malka, hails from Ashkelon, and his family was evacuated from their home for many months after October 2023.

Now, the 228th has an illustrious chapter, including a heroic battle in the heart of the Kasbah in a southern Lebanese village (Aitaroun) last Saturday noon (shortly after the strike in Iran). Unfortunately, the brigade paid a heavy price in the battle, including the deaths of Senior Sergeant Shaul Moyal, 47, from Karnei Shomron; Major Avraham Yosef Goldberg, 43, from Jerusalem (who served as a fighter; the deputy commander was also seriously injured in the battle); Master Sergeant Gilad Elmalich, 30, from Jerusalem; Captain Amit Hayut, 29, from Haifa; and Major Eliav Amram Abitbul, 36, from Eitan.

The brigade entered Lebanon after months of mostly defensive operational deployments along the northern border, including brigade training in preparation for raids. At the decisive moment, following the IDF's ground action in southern Lebanon, "Alon's" combat team, which includes armored and engineering forces from other units, entered their designated villages. The IDF captured dozens of villages along the northern border, sparing Christian villages, the Lebanese army, and UNIFIL forces who sheltered in their posts.

The 228th infantrymen initially entered the village of Bleyda in long foot patrols, just as in past operations, without armored vehicles. The enemy largely disappeared, but in the heart of the village, the brigade had wounded and a significant achievement—the capture of Hezbollah's first prisoner in this campaign, trapped in a sophisticated communications center 10 meters underground, inside a seemingly ordinary four-story residential building. Seizing his communication system further disrupted Hezbollah's command and control network, directly following the destruction of communication devices and beepers.

A month later, in last Saturday's heroic battle, the brigade was about to leave another village when intelligence indicated terrorists were still hiding in the Kasbah. Intelligence in this war is relayed in real time, thanks to a concept called "Deployed Intelligence." 

Based on this information, the forces went to strike the Kasbah again after additional air and artillery bombardments. Unfortunately, a terrorist hiding in one of the bombed buildings caused numerous casualties during the sweep. While rescuing them, additional soldiers were injured, and there was a fear that one of our fighters might be kidnapped. The wounded were evacuated by air force helicopters, under significant risk.

The full picture of the battle remained unclear for hours, but it seems that an additional terrorist continued fighting with light weapons and grenades even after a wall from the building collapsed on him, severing his legs. The house caught fire, and IDF special units joined the fight.

The fire was extinguished with water drawn from village wells. The battle was directed from the heart of the Kasbah by senior IDF command, including Brigade Commander Malka, 91st Division Commander Brigadier General Shai Klapper, 146th Division Commander Brigadier General Yiftach Norkin, and the Northern Command Commander Yiftach Norkin himself.

By early Sunday morning, full control of the village was achieved, with no missing personnel, including the five fallen and fourteen injured. A few days later, the 228th completed their mission. They know they will be called for future missions. The IDF believes the Ayatirun battle will be remembered for generations due to the commitment of all commanders and fighters, as well as their resolve to leave no fallen or wounded soldier behind.