The Oketz Unit: The Canine Warriors of Israel
The Oketz canine unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) played a vital role in the Gaza Strip, saving countless lives by detecting explosives and weapons crates, often at the expense of their own. Despite the IDF's advanced technology, some tasks still require an old-school approach, and that's where Oketz excels.
Consisting of various types of shepherds, Oketz dogs perform three main functions: identifying enemies, detecting explosives, and search and rescue. During the recent conflict in Gaza, Oketz helped the Marom Special Operations Brigade locate approximately 50 booby-trap devices and dozens of weapons caches.
Tragically, the unit lost five dogs during the war, but their contribution was immense. A dog, Naro, alerted the IDF to an ambush planned by Hamas, sacrificing its life in the ensuing firefight. Oketz dogs also helped rescue more than 200 civilians under fire near the Gaza Strip.
Despite the risks, dog deaths at the unit are relatively rare, averaging one to two per year. However, wartime is a different story. Major A, a unit commander in Oketz, expressed grief over the loss of five dogs during the recent conflict, acknowledging their immense contribution and the lives they saved.
Mido, Taiga, Jack, Ghandi and Naro will be laid to rest at the Oketz Unit Cemetery, where a special ceremony will be held to honor their service. Each dog will have a personalized stone, similar to the soldiers' graves, commemorating their sacrifice.
The Oketz unit holds an annual ceremony before Memorial Day to honor its fallen canine heroes. Survivors of affected units once again pay their respects, recalling the unwavering loyalty and bravery of these remarkable dogs.
Oketz is a testament to the incredible bond between humans and dogs, and the invaluable role they play in protecting and saving lives in times of conflict.
the mail Unit Oketz: Israel's canine warriors save lives in the Gaza Strip appeared first NewsGPT.ai.
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