Editing Israeli Combat Engineering Corps

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=August 2013}}
{{Original research|date=March 2012}}
{{Expand Hebrew|topic=mil|date=February 2014|fa=yes}}
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{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Israeli Combat Engineering Corps
| image                         = תג חיל ההנדסה.png
| image_size                    = 150px
| caption                       = Israeli Combat Engineering Corps insignia
| dates                         = 1947–today
| country                       = {{flagcountry|Israel}}
| allegiance                    = {{armed forces|Israel}}
| branch                        = {{army|Israel}}
| type                          = [[Combat Engineering]]
| size                          = 
| command_structure             = [[:he:מערך התמרון|Maneuvering Corps]]<br>[[GOC Army Headquarters]]
| garrison                      = 
| nickname                      = "Muhandesim", "Palasim", "Ksoofim"
| motto                         = "Rishonim Tamid" ("Always First"), "Rishonim BaHazit" ("First in the Front"), "Lech Beyekvot Haksufim" ("Follow the Silver ones")
| colors                        = Silver berets
| march                         = "Handasa Kravit Theme"
| mascot                        = Panther
| battles                       = All of [[List of wars involving Israel|Israel's wars]], notable are:
* [[Suez Crisis]]
* [[Yom Kippur War]] <small>(Operation Abirey Lev – breaching the Suez Canal)</small>
* [[Second Intifada]] <small>([[Battle of Jenin (2002)|Battle of Jenin]])</small>,
* [[2006 Lebanon War]]
* [[Gaza War (2008–2009)]]
* [[2012 Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip]]
* [[2014 Gaza War]]
* [[Gaza war]]
| anniversaries                 = 
| decorations                   = [[Israel Defense Prize]]
| notable_commanders            = Emmanuel Shachar, Elchanan Klein, Avishay Katz, Shimon Daniel, Moshe Sheli
| identification_symbol         = [[File:SemelHandasaKravit-transparent.png|200px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Emblem
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Flag of the Israeli Combat Engineering Corps.svg|150px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Flag
| specialization                = Combat Engineering, EOD, counter-NBC
| current_commander             = [[Brigadier General]] Ido Mizrahi
| ceremonial_chief              = 
}}

The Israeli '''Combat Engineering Corps''' ({{langx|he|חיל ההנדסה הקרבית}}, ''Heil HaHandasa HaKravit'') is part of the [[Israel Defense Forces]] with responsibility for mobility assurance, road breaching, defense and fortifications, counter-mobility of enemy forces, construction and destruction under fire, sabotage, explosives, bomb disposal, counter-weapons of mass destruction (NBC) and special engineering missions.

The Combat Engineering Corps beret's color is silver and its symbol features a sword on a [[defensive tower]] with an explosion halo on the background. The Combat Engineering Corps mottos are ''"Always First" (ראשונים תמיד Rishonim Tamid)'' and the unofficial ''"The hard, we shall do today; the impossible, we shall do tomorrow"''.

In addition to Combat Engineering Corps sappers, each infantry brigade has an engineering company trained with basic engineering and [[explosive ordnance disposal]] (EOD) skills (called פלח"הן). Combat Engineering Corps sappers and heavy equipment operators are often attached to other units (such as armored or infantry brigades) in order to help them breach through obstacles and handle explosive threats.

== Roles ==
Beside extensive training in basic combat engineering, combat engineers receive specialized training in their respective professions. These are:
* '''[[Sapper]]:''' trained with all the basic engineering skills and also trained at high infantry level (רובאי 07). Their main role is to breach through terrain obstacles (natural and artificial), breach through [[landmine|minefields]] and enable ground forces to advance in the battlefield. They are trained to supply close combat support for both [[armored fighting vehicle]]s and [[infantry]]. Some of them are trained in driving the Combat Engineering Corps standard [[Combat engineering vehicle|CEV]]: the [[IDF Puma]].  Their professional ranks after advanced training are [[Rifleman]] 07 (רובאי 07) and Sapper 06 (פלס 06).
[[File:IDF-D9-Zachi-Evenor-001.jpg|thumb|[[IDF Caterpillar D9]]]]
* '''Engineering Vehicles Operator''' (EVO): less combatant but nonetheless important, these soldiers are skilled in the operation of [[heavy equipment|heavy mechanical equipment]] and [[engineering vehicles]] such as heavy bulldozers, excavators, cranes, tractors and mine-breaching devices. EVO units are called צמ"ה (''Tzama'') in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], acronym of ''Tziyud Mechani Handasi'' (Mechanical Engineering Equipment). Their professional ranks are Rifleman 05 (רובאי 05) and EVO Operator 07 (מפעיל צמ"ה 07).
** '''Bulldozer Operators:''' belong to the EVO, these soldiers operate the [[IDF Caterpillar D9]] [[armored bulldozer]]s, including under heavy fire. Their roles are versatile and differ according to the units to which they are attached. The D9 operators perform construction, destruction, breaching and EOD missions while assisting tanks, infantry and even [[special forces]] during battle.
* '''NBC Disposal:''' called "purifiers", they are expert in handling [[nuclear warfare|nuclear]], [[biological warfare|biological]] and [[chemical warfare|chemical]] threats.
* '''EOD experts:''' the EOD are experts in nondestructive detonation of explosives and bomb disposal. Among their equipment are the [[M82 Barrett rifle|Barrett M82A1]] and remote-control [[EOD robot]]s with shotguns and mechanical arms. The EOD are the military equivalent of the police's [[bomb squad]]. In the IDF, they are a part of the elite Engineering unit [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]].
* '''Demolition experts:''' they are specially trained in [[Explosive|blowing up targets]] in the most accurate and effective way. They explode targets ranging from cellular phones and doorlocks up to tanks and large buildings. In the IDF, the demolition experts are united in Sayeret Yael of [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] ([[Sayeret]] is the Hebrew term for a SF elite unit) and therefore gain high infantry training as well.
* '''Fortification experts:''' assigned to designing and overseeing the construction of bases, [[outpost (military)|outposts]], bridges and fortifications. Construction itself is usually done by the EVOs.
* '''Counter-Tunnels experts:''' established in 2003 by the late Captain Aviv Hakani, these Combat Engineering Corps soldiers are experts in finding [[smuggling tunnels]] and [[weapon cache]]s, and demolishing them. They operated in [[Rafah]] during the [[al-Aqsa Intifada]] and received recommendation of honor for their activity. After the 2004 [[Operation Rainbow|APC incident]] the Rafah tunnel team was united with the Combat Engineering Corps elite unit [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] and was renamed Sayeret Samur ("Samur" means "[[Weasel]]" in Hebrew).

== Units ==
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Sayeret "Yahalom".jpg|thumb|[[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] operators at the conclusion of a military exercise]]
[[File:3-IDF-D9-bulldozers-Zachi-Evenor.jpg|thumb|[[IDF Caterpillar D9]] [[armored bulldozer]]s parking near a military outpost]]
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - "Yanshuf" Battalion Soldiers at ABC Warfare Exercise, Nov 2010.jpg|thumb|"Yanshuf" ({{ill|Owl Battalion|he|סאווע|vertical-align=sup}}) troops, specializing in [[ABC warfare]], training on the [[Golan Heights]]]]

=== Active engineering units ===
Assigned to commands, divisions, and brigades:
* [[File:Handasa pzn.png|25px]] [[Northern Command (Israel)|Northern Command]] Engineering Unit 801
* [[File:Handasa pkmz.png|25px]] [[Central  Command (Israel)|Central Command]] Engineering Unit 802
* [[File:IDF Combat Engineering Corps at Southern Command.svg|25px]] [[Southern Command (Israel)|Southern Command]] Engineering Unit 803
* [[File:Gdud-601.png|20px]] 601st Combat Engineering Battalion "Asaf" (Assigned to the [[401st Armored Brigade (Israel)|401st Armored Brigade "I'kvot haBarzel"]])
* [[File:Gdud-603.png|20px]] 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion "Lahav" (Assigned to the [[7th Armored Brigade (Israel)|7th Armored Brigade "Saar me-Golan"]])
* [[File:Gdud-605.png|20px]] 605th Combat Engineering Battalion "HaMahatz" (Assigned to the [[188th Armored Brigade (Israel)|188th Armored Brigade "Barak"]])
* [[File:Gdud-614.png|25px]] 614th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[460th Armored Brigade (Israel)|460th Armored Brigade "Bnei Or"]])
* Combat Engineering Company "Galilee Cats" (Assigned to the [[91st Division (Israel)|91st Division]])
* Combat Engineering Company "Steel Cats" (Assigned to the [[143rd Division (Israel)|143rd Division]])
* Combat Engineering Company "Steel Knights" (Assigned to the [[143rd Division (Israel)|143rd Division]])
* Combat Engineering Company "Plateau Cats" (Assigned to the [[210th Division (Israel)|210th Division]])
* Combat Engineering Company "Wild Cats" (Assigned to the [[877th Division (Israel)|877th Division]])

Assigned to other commands:
* [[File:Yahalom.png|25px]] [[Sayeret Yahalom|Yahalom]] – special operations engineering unit
** Sayeret Yael – [[commando]] [[reconnaissance]] unit
** SAP – [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal|EOD]] and [[bomb disposal]] unit
** SAMUR – counter-tunneling unit
** Hevzek – [[Robot]]ics unit
* 76th [[CBRN defense]] Battalion (Assigned to [[Home Front Command]])
* [[File:Bahalatz 14 Tag.svg|25px]] Military Engineering School (BAHALATZ 14)
* YANSHUF – CBRN defense Training Cente

=== Reserve engineering units ===
* 271st Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[14th Armored Brigade (Israel)|14th Armored Brigade "Machatz"]])
* [[File:תג גדוד 710.png|25px]] 710th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[179th Armored Brigade (Israel)|179th Armored Brigade "Re'em"]])
* [[File:תג גדוד 749.png|25px]] 749th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[Bislamach Brigade|828th Infantry Brigade]])
* 924th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[10th Armored Brigade (Israel)|10th Armored Brigade "Harel"]])
* 5280th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[Alexandroni Brigade|3rd Infantry Brigade "Alexandroni"]])
* 7071st Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[4th Armored Brigade "Kiryati"]])
* 7086th Combat Engineering Battalion "Alon" (Assigned to the [[Golani Brigade|1st Infantry Brigade "Golani"]])
* [[File:תג גדחה"ן 7107.png|25px]] 7107th Combat Engineering Battalion "Raz" (Assigned to the [[Nahal Brigade|933rd Infantry Brigade "Nahal"]])
* [[File:תג 8170.png|25px]] 8170th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[Givati Brigade|84th Infantry Brigade "Givati"]])
* [[File:תג 8173.jpg|25px]] 8173rd Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[Etzioni Brigade|6th Infantry Brigade "Etzioni"]])
* 8219th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[551st Paratroopers Brigade (Israel)|551st Paratroopers Brigade "Hetzei HaEsch"]])
* 9227th Combat Engineering Battalion (Assigned to the [[679th Armored Brigade (Israel)|679th Armored Brigade "Yiftach"]])

== Equipment ==

=== Personal gear ===
The Israeli combat engineers and sappers are combat soldiers and therefore have a personal gear and weapons as infantry soldiers. Their issued rifle is the [[M-16A1]] (short 13/14-inch barrel) and [[M4 Carbine]]. Other weapons include [[hand grenade]]s, [[M203]] grenade launcher, [[IMI Negev]], [[FN MAG]] and [[M2 Browning]] [[machinegun]]s and [[M24 SWS]] and [[Barret M82A1]] [[sniper rifle]]s.

=== Vehicles ===
[[File:IDF-Puma-by-Zachi-Evenor.jpg|thumb|[[IDF Puma]]]]
[[File:IDF-Nammer-CEV-05-Zachi-Evenor-v62.jpg|thumb|[[Namer APC|IDF Nammer CEV]]]]
The combat engineering soldiers are mobilized by [[Armoured personnel carrier|APCs]] and armored 4×4 vehicles.
The [[Armoured personnel carrier]]s include the [[Centurion tank]]-based [[IDF Puma]], a heavy [[combat engineering vehicle]] equipped with engineering devices such as [[mine plow]]s. Reserve forces use the old and versatile [[M113]] APC. In 2016 the 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion ("Lahav") started to receive [[IDF Namer]] [[Combat engineering vehicle]] based on the [[Namer APC]].

Wheeled armored vehicles include the [[HMMWV]] ("Hummer"), [[Wolf Armoured Vehicle]] and [[M240 Sufa]].

=== Heavy equipment ===
The Combat Engineering Corps operates heavy equipment and engineering vehicles (called TZAMA in Hebrew) such as [[armored bulldozer]]s, armored excavators, armored [[wheeled loader]]s, armored [[backhoe loader]]s and more. The best known tool is the heavily armored [[IDF Caterpillar D9]] bulldozer.

=== Mine breaching devices ===
The Combat Engineering Corps has different means to breach fast through mine fields. These include personal sapper gear, vehicle-mounted [[mine plow]]s and [[mine roller]]s which can be attached to engineering vehicles and tanks, CARPET air-fuel rockets and the "[[Tzefa Shiryon]]" (Hebrew for "Armor's Viper") which is extremely powerful and can clear large mine fields.

=== Explosives ===
The Combat Engineering Corps has a wide range of explosives, demolition charges and different land mines.

=== Robots ===
[[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom SF Unit]] operates many types of robots, including bomb disposal robots, [[reconnaissance]] robots and remote-controlled heavy equipment (such as "Raam HaShachar" D9N bulldozer, and the "Front-Runner" mini-cat loader).

=== NBC ===
[[Counter-NBC]] soldiers are equipped with protective suits and gas masks, chemical ID systems and purification vehicles.

=== Gallery ===
<gallery widths=200 heights=155 perrow=4>
File:IDF-D9-bulldozer-66-IndependenceDay-1.jpg|[[IDF Caterpillar D9]].<br />Armored bulldozers are standard combat engineering tools, as they can perform construction, destruction and [[Explosive Ordnance Disposal|EOD]] missions under heavy fire.
File:Armored-excavator01.jpg|Armored excavator.
File:Armoured front loader.jpg|Armored front loader.
File:IDF Tatra Driller - 01 - Zachi Evenor.jpg|Counter-tunnel [[driller (oil)|driller]] mounted on a [[Tatra (company)|Tatra]] truck.
File:PumaAPC01.jpg|[[IDF Puma]]. <br> Puma is a heavy armed engineering vehicle, used to transfer Combat Engineering Corps through minefields or a hostile urban terrain.
File:IDF-Nammer-CEV-02-Zachi-Evenor.jpg|[[IDF Namer CEV]] – combat engineering version of the [[Namer APC]]
File:ANDROS-sap1.jpg|[[RemoTec ANDROS]] EOD robot.
File:Tagash001.jpg|[[Armoured vehicle-launched bridge]].
</gallery>

== History ==

=== Founding ===
The Combat Engineering Corps has a record of professional achievement and decoration. Its best known operation is the bridging of the [[Suez Canal]] during the [[Yom Kippur War]]. The corps was formed from the sabotage unit of the [[Palmach]] and the tractor operators units of the [[1948 Palestine war]]. In its early years, the Combat Engineering Corps drew its soldiers mainly from Jews who had served in the United Kingdom's [[Royal Engineers]].

ICEC chief engineer, Brigadier General [[David Leskov]] (not to be confused with Chief Engineering Officer קצין הנדסה ראשי, the commander of the ICEC), developed many combat engineering systems for the [[Israel Defense Forces]], and won three [[Israel Security Prize]]s. He served in the IDF until his death at the age of 86, thus being the oldest soldier in the world.

=== In Israel's wars ===
In the [[1948 Palestine war]], the Combat Engineering Corps blasted bridges over the [[Jordan River]] and the streams of the southern [[Coastal plain]] in order to stop the advance of the Arab armored forces into the Israeli civilian rear. The Combat Engineering Corps also helped in breaching the "[[Burma Road (Israel)|Burma Road]]" into besieged [[Jerusalem]].

[[File:Handasa-monument01.jpg|thumb|"Road of Heroism" memorial for the fallen soldiers of the Israeli Engineering Corps, near Hulda forest, at the [[Burma Road (Israel)|Burma Road]], Israel]]

In the [[Suez Crisis]], the Combat Engineering Corps destroyed Egyptian military infrastructure in the [[Sinai Peninsula]] and was awarded with a [[battalion]] recommendation of honor.

In the 1967 [[Six-Day War]] the Combat Engineering Corps stormed Jordanian fortifications along the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. After Israel annexed the Old City, the Combat Engineering Corps removed landmines planted in the city by the Jordanians. This was the first war in which [[Caterpillar D9]] bulldozers were employed by the corps.

After the war, the Combat Engineering Corps helped to build a [[fortification]] line of defense along the [[Suez Canal]] and were awarded the [[Israel Security Prize]] in 1969. The Israeli Engineering Corps were the first corps to win the award.

In the 1973 [[Yom Kippur War]] the combat engineering battalions attached to [[Ariel Sharon]]'s armored division bridged the [[Suez Canal]] during "Operation Knights of Heart", while carrying tanks and paratroopers across the canal with [[Gillois]] amphibious tank-carriers. This effort enabled Sharon and [[Avraham Adan|Avraham "Bren" Adan's]] armored divisions to cross the canal and surround the 3rd Egyptian Army, forcing it to surrender. The bridging of the canal is regarded by many as the turning point of the war on the southern front. On the northern front, a Combat Engineering Corps Caterpillar D9 bulldozer was the first ever motorized vehicle to reach the summit of the [[Hermon]].

In [[1982 Lebanon War|Operation Peace for Galilee]] the Combat Engineering Corps worked intensively to open routes for Israeli forces.  Their duties also included the disarming landmines and [[Improvised explosive device]]s as well as building fortifications and outposts.

In the 1991 [[Gulf War]], the [[NBC]] purifiers of the Combat Engineering Corps were on a "code red" alert for disarming Iraqi [[Scud]] missiles, armed with non-conventional warheads.

=== October 2000 Lebanon abduction ===
[[File:Timsach-Gillois-latrun-1.jpg|thumb|"Timsach" (crocodile) Gillois amphibious tank-carrier]]
On 7 October 2000 three Israeli [[combat engineering]] soldiers were abducted by [[Hezbollah]] from the [[Shebaa Farms]], in the [[Golan Heights]]. The soldiers, [[Beni Avraham]], [[Adi Avitan]] and [[Omar Sawaed]], suffered fatal injuries during their abduction. Their bodies were retrieved in 2004 in a prisoner swap with Hezbollah.

A series of accusations were made against the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon ([[UNIFIL]]) by press and partisan web sites for having cooperated with the abduction. Those accusations stem from a video, whose existence was originally denied by UN officials, recorded by Indian peacekeepers one day after the abduction. The video, which the UN agreed to provide to Israeli officials in June 2001 with civilian faces blurred, showed abandoned vehicles with fake UN license plates and uniforms, and Hezbollah supporters intercepting UN efforts to retrieve the vehicles. A UN investigation found no evidence to support accusations of peacekeepers involvement in the abduction.<ref>{{cite web|first=Ronni |last=Berke |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/08/03/un.lebanon.report/index.html |title=U.N. report: Kidnapped Israeli soldiers may be dead |publisher=CNN |date=3 August 2001 |access-date=20 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612005311/http://archives.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/meast/08/03/un.lebanon.report/index.html |archive-date=12 June 2012 }}</ref> Although the bereaved families met with [[Kofi Annan]], they refused to accept the UN version. In September 2004, the bereaved families announced their intention to sue the UN, [[Hezbollah]], [[Iran]], [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]] for their parts in the abduction.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=11009 |title=maarivintl.com |publisher=maarivintl.com |access-date=20 January 2013 |archive-date=7 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807023405/http://www.maarivintl.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=article&articleID=11009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Second Intifada ===
{{Further|Second Intifada|IDF Caterpillar D9|Operation Defensive Shield|Battle of Jenin (2002)|2004 Israeli operation in Rafah}}[[File:IDF-D9L001.jpg|thumb|IDF '''D9'''L, which won the [[Battle of Jenin 2002]] during [[Operation Defensive Shield]]. The armored [[Caterpillar D9]] bulldozers were cited by military experts as a key factor in keeping IDF casualties low.]]
During the [[Second Intifada]], which erupted in September 2000, the Combat Engineering Corps were employed to disarm many Palestinian [[Improvised explosive device|IED]] explosive charges and [[booby trap]]s. In many cases, the Combat Engineering EOD operators, together with [[Israeli Police]] bomb disposal operators, also detonated [[explosive belt]]s captured on Palestinian [[suicide bomber]]s. The Combat Engineering Corps also dynamited Palestinian houses, bomb labs and smuggling tunnels.

However, the Combat Engineering Corps were most known for operating the armored [[IDF Caterpillar D9]] [[armored bulldozer]]s. On the other side, for [[Palestinians]], the bulldozers became a nightmare, as they bulldozed many Palestinian buildings and shrubbery, and were almost impervious to Palestinian attacks. The Combat Engineering Corps bulldozers' operators unit received a recommendation of honor for its activity in [[Jenin]] during [[Operation Defensive Shield]].

Armored bulldozers were also massively employed in [[Rafah]] to counter terrorist smuggling tunnels. [[Human Rights Watch]] published a report<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/campaigns/gaza |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041020052913/http://www.hrw.org/campaigns/gaza/ |archive-date=20 October 2004 |title=Human Rights Watch - Mass Home Demolitions in the Gaza Strip}}</ref> criticizing the extensive destruction of Palestinian houses in the southern [[Gaza Strip]], and said it was unlawful, claiming that Israel uses the Palestinian [[smuggling tunnels]] as a pretext to create a "buffer zone" along the [[Philadelphi Corridor|Gaza-Egypt border]]. In [[Rafah]], the Combat Engineering Corps formed a special unit, designated for searching and destroying [[smuggling tunnels]], it is called SAMUR and now belongs to [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yaalom]]. They also received an honor of recommendation, for their conduct. Until the [[Israeli disengagement from Gaza|Gaza Disengagement plan]], the Combat Engineering 603 battalion's reconnaissance platoon (מחס"ר) held a record of over 70 terrorists killed in 2004–2005 on the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel. They received a recommendation of honor for this achievement.

=== Second Lebanon War ===
The Combat Engineering Corps took significant part in the [[2006 Lebanon War]] that erupted in 2006 after [[Hizbullah]] attacked IDF patrol, abducted two soldiers and killed another 8 with [[anti-tank missile]]s and improvised explosive devices that hit the rescuers.

On 16 July combat engineering forces from Asaf battalion were the first to enter Lebanon. Their mission was to clear improvised explosive devices, open safe routes to ground forces and demolish Hizbullah infrastructures. [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] bomb disposal experts and [[IDF Caterpillar D9]] bulldozers cleared most of Hizbullah's IEDs. During the war, a D9 went over a 500&nbsp;kg [[belly charge]] improvised explosive devices but survived without taking significant damage.

During the war, combat engineers used bulldozers and explosives to destroy Hezbollah [[outpost (military)|outposts]], bunkers, warehouses and HQs—mainly along the border. The works intensified as the war reached near end, and indeed the borderline was cleared in time.

Combat engineers also rescued damaged tanks, often under fire.

Two combat engineers were awarded with [[Medal of Distinguished Service]] and other two awarded a recommendation of honor from the General Chief of Staff. Many other awarded with recommendation of honor from less senior commanders.
<!-- references in Hebrew can be found in [[:he:היסטוריה של חיל ההנדסה הישראלי#חיל ההנדסה במלחמת לבנון השנייה]] -->

=== 2008–2009 Gaza War ===
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - The Combat Engineering Corps Newest Recruits.jpg|thumb|upright|Combat Engineer in training]]
During the [[Gaza War (2008–2009)]] codenamed "Operation Cast Lead" by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]], combat engineering forces were the first to enter the [[Gaza Strip]] to clear [[Improvised explosive device|IEDs]], [[booby trap]]s and open safe routes to armor and infantry.

Many [[booby trap]]s, rigged structures and tunnels were present in the [[Gaza Strip]] as part of [[Hamas]] efforts to prepare to the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]]. These were often concealed in civilian structures, and were even found in schools and mosques. However, most of the Palestinian booby traps were successfully countered by the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] Combat Engineering Corps [[bomb disposal]] experts (part of [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] Special Engineering Unit) which dismentaled the bombs and [[IDF Caterpillar D9|armored D9 bulldozers]] which detonated bombs and booby traps while sustaining no damage from the explosions. [[IDF Caterpillar D9]]R and unmanned "Raam HaShachar" D9N [[armored bulldozer]]s which opened route in dangerous areas have taken many improvised explosive devices, landmines, explosive charges and [[anti-tank rocket|RPG]] hits, but no crewmen were killed. However, a [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] bomb disposal expert was killed after entering a house and encountering a [[suicide bomber]]. He was the only fatality of the Combat Engineering Corps during the war.

[[File:Combat-Engineers-Tzuk-Eytan-0001.jpg|thumb|left|Armored [[IDF Caterpillar D9]] [[bulldozer]]s and armored Bagger E-349 [[excavator]], parked during the [[2014 Gaza War]].]]
Besides neutralizing Hamas IEDs and traps, combat engineering forces demolished [[Hamas]] infrastructure and other structures used as outposts, shooting positions, traps, cover for tunnels, HQs and warehouses. The head officer of the Combat Engineering Corps (קהנ"ר) estimated that about 600 buildings were bulldozed or exploded by his troops.

The Combat Engineering Corps' success heightened their reputation within the [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] and in the Israeli public. This was manifested in increased number of conscripts who chose the Combat Engineering Corps as their first priority in their draft preferation questionnaire ("[[Manila paper|Manila]] מנילה"—a form in which the conscript chooses in what unit he would like to serve, the IDF tries to fulfill his request as much as possible).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mazi.idf.il/3728-9466-he/IGF.aspx |title=Israeli Ground Forces – אתר זרוע היבשה : חיל ההנדסה הקרבית (חה"ן) – חדשות החיל |publisher=Mazi.idf.il |date=8 February 2010 |access-date=20 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403175557/http://mazi.idf.il/3728-9466-he/IGF.aspx |archive-date=3 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 2014 Gaza War ===
[[File:IDF Soldiers Uncover Tunnels in Gaza (14513059999).jpg|thumb|Combat engineer looking at a Hamas infiltration tunnel exposed by the IDF during [[Operation Protective Edge]].]]
During the [[2014 Gaza War]] (July–August 2014) Combat Engineers played a major role in destroying [[Hamas]]' cross-border underground infiltration tunnels. The tunnels were exposed and cleared by armored bulldozers and excavators, and then detonated by [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]]'s Samoor unit. In total, about 32 tunnels were destroyed. In addition, combat engineers participated in the battles, neutralized Hamas-planted [[improvised explosive device]]s, cleared booby-traps, opened routes for armor and infantry, and destroyed terrorist infrastructure. Six combat engineers were killed during the battles in the [[Gaza Strip]].

=== Operation Northern Shield ===
In late 2018, the IDF commenced [[Operation Northern Shield]] to detect, located and destroy [[Hezbollah]] tunnels dug into northern Israel from [[South Lebanon]]. The combat engineering corps played the major role in the operation, operating on ground and below it, deploying [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom]] tunnel warfare teams and [[heavy equipment]]. As for 12 January 2019, the IDF discovered 6 tunnels.
<!-- references in Hebrew can be found in [[:he:היסטוריה של חיל ההנדסה הישראלי#חיל ההנדסה במבצע עופרת יצוקה]] -->

=== Gaza war ===
{{Main|Gaza war}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Israel Engineering Corps}}
{{Portal|Israel}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080621102938/http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/units/forces/ground/Engineers/default.htm Combat Engineering Corps], [[Israel Defense Forces|IDF]] official website (English)
* [http://www.handasa.org.il/ Official website] by "Palas" – Combat Engineers Association (Hebrew)
* [http://mazi.idf.il/591-he/Mazi.aspx Combat Engineering page] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120626125232/http://mazi.idf.il/591-he/Mazi.aspx |date=26 June 2012 }} – IDF's Ground Command website (Hebrew)
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwGUN_J9488 Combat Engineering Corps] – [[Israel Defense Forces]] YouTube channel, 2011
* [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Memorial/2004/Lt.+Aviv+Hakani.htm Captain Aviv Hakani]

{{Israel Defense Forces}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Israeli Combat Engineering Corps| ]]
[[Category:Military engineer corps]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1947]]