Givati soldiers and commanders on a run through the cities that border Gaza. Photo: Combat Camera, IDF Spokesperson

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This morning (Wednesday, Aug. 13), Givati Brigade combat soldiers opened the brigade's 25th anniversary celebrations by opening a 10km run around the Israeli towns that are located on the outskirts of Gaza.  In the evening, the soldiers entered, at a running pace, the city of Sderot, with the GOC of the Southern Command, Maj. Gen. Yoav Gallant, and the commander of the brigade, Col. Ilan Michael, at the head.  Afterwards, an evening performance was held for both soldiers and civilians.

“Today, we celebrate 25 years since the re-establishment of the Givati Brigade and we thought it would be right to take note of our heritage and to join with the civilians to whom we give our complete support,” said the Brigade Commander, Col. Ilan Malka, to the IDF Website.  “We kicking the morning off with a brigade run around the cities that surround Gaza.  All the battalions stopped at heritage stations where they learnt about the heritage of the brigade, so that they know about a portion of what the brigade has done, which is quite a lot.”

“The Givati Brigade fought and continues to fight to protect the cities that lie on the outskirts of Gaza.  We feel that this is our home; it was before the many pages of the brigade’s history were written in the Gaza Strip,” the Brigade Commander to the residents of Sderot.  “The city's joint participation in this Givati Brigade event is like with family,” explained the mayor of Sderot, Oren Malka.  “The fact that they have chosen to make their brigade’s day in Sderot both pleases and moves me.  The brigade works day and night to guard this city.  It is Givati that protects us in the field.  What is portrayed by them is the professional and operational work that they do quietly and with humility.”