Paratroopers Brigade Reflects on Three Years of Combat and Adaptation

Three years after the events of October 7, the Paratroopers Brigade reflects on its evolution, ongoing operations, and the lessons learned through intense combat across multiple fronts.

Leadership Under Fire

Colonel Roi Zweig-Lavi, who has commanded the Red Brigade for the past year and a half, emphasizes that the brigade's story is fundamentally about its people. Meeting outside his headquarters at Beit Lid, Zweig notes that despite extensive operations, the mission is far from over.

"We achieved a lot, but we are not there yet. I am in a week of memorial services. Yesterday, I spoke with the father of a brigade soldier who fell in Re'im on October 7. I told him: We failed."

Generations of Combat

Several officers and soldiers sit alongside the commander, representing different eras of the ongoing conflict. Among them is Major N., deputy commander of the 890th Battalion, who was severely wounded on October 8 during clashes with terrorists near Holit. Despite sustaining two gunshot wounds to the chest, he returned to active duty after three months of rehabilitation.

Captain A., a platoon commander in the 202nd Battalion, recalls the initial chaos of October 7 and his subsequent deployment to Jabalia. During operations there, his unit uncovered underground shafts linked to hostage locations and recovered critical intelligence.

Adapting to New Threats

Reflecting on the tactical shifts over three years of war, Colonel Zweig acknowledges initial failures regarding unmanned aerial threats. The military has since adapted its training and operational responses to counter drone warfare effectively.

Looking ahead, the brigade continues its rigorous training regimens, preparing for future maneuvers across northern and southern theaters. Zweig emphasizes that the primary objective remains clear: decisive tactical engagement to dismantle adversary infrastructure and ensure operational readiness.