The IDF, founded in 1948, ranks among the most battletested
armed forces in the world, having had to defend the country in
six major wars. The IDF’s security objectives are to defend the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the State of Israel,
deter all enemies, and curb all forms of terrorism that threaten
daily life. Its main tasks include reinforcing the peace
arrangements; ensuring overall security in the West Bank in
coordination with the Palestinian Authority; spearheading the
war against terrorism, both inside Israel and across its
borders; and maintaining a deterrent capability to prevent the
outbreak of hostilities. To ensure its success, the IDF's
doctrine at the strategic level is defensive, while its tactics
are offensive. Given the country's lack of territorial depth,
the IDF must take the initiative when deemed necessary and, if
attacked, quickly transfer the battleground to the enemy's land.
Though it has always been outnumbered by its enemies, the IDF
maintains a qualitative advantage by