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Golani Brigade

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22 Jul, 2014

Will return

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rasan_alian_woundCommander Col. Rasan Alian says he will return to complete the elite Golani Brigade’s mission in the 2014 Gaza conflict after he is moderately wounded in an exchange of fire.

I want to go back to Gaza, and get to as many terrorists as possible

On heavy losses sustained by the unit:

I’d like to send a big hug to the bereaved families. I did not have a chance to meet them. We stand with them. They are strengthening us

20 Jul, 2014

‘Shabbath has ended, nation is behind us’

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Alian tells his soldiers that they have the support of Israel, as the elite unit joins the ground campaign of the 2014 Gaza conflict with a mission to ‘remove Hamas’ terrorist infrastructure and restore quiet to Israel.’

The Shabbath has just ended. Our nation is behind us, and it has great expectations for Golani. It expects us to weaken Hamas. I am certain that the Golani Brigade will succeed in this mission. Go ahead. Over.

Golani Brigade Commander: "Our Nation is Behind Us"

13 killed

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A total of 13 Golani Brigade soldiers are killed in a single morning of operations in Gaza while brigade commander Col. Gen. Rasan Alian is moderately wounded in an exchange of fire and hospitalized in Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba. A timeline released by the Israel Defense Forces:

1:05 a.m., an armored personnel carrier catches fire after an explosive device is set off under it. Seven soldiers are killed. Reportedly, the APC was not fitted with armor that could withstand this type of blast.

1:30 a.m., a soldier is killed when two soldiers get into a firefight with terrorists.

5:45 a.m., another Golani force gets into a firefight with terrorists. Two soldiers are killed.

8:50 a.m., three soldiers are killed when a Golani squad is caught inside a burning building.

Golani in action in Gaza

25 Oct, 2013

First Druze commander

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rasan_alianRasan Alian becomes the first Israeli Druze to command the elite Golani Brigade and only the second non-Jewish commander in Israel Defense Forces history. He has previously served as commander of Battalion 51, the Reconnaissance Battalion and deputy commander of the brigade and also served in the Kfir Brigade as commander of the Duhifat Battalion. His most recent role is commander of the 36th Division on the Golan Heights. His eldest brother has served as a combat soldier, and his two younger brothers are serving as operations officers in different parts of the IDF. One of them, Basam Alian, has served as a battalion commander in the Givati Brigade.