The Paratroopers Brigade is one of Israel's most prestigious combat units, playing key roles in the ongoing Gaza operation and maintaining security along increasingly tense fronts with Lebanon and Syria. The unit has been continuously deployed since the October 7 Hamas attacks.
Senior officers from Israel's elite Paratroopers Brigade have filed serious complaints against their commander, Colonel Ami Biton, accusing him of endangering soldiers and avoiding combat engagement during operations across multiple fronts, including Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank.
The allegations, first reported by Israel's Channel 12 News, were detailed in a letter to former Division Commander Major General Dan Goldfluss. The complaints paint a concerning picture of leadership issues during critical combat operations.
The controversy extends beyond combat decisions. Parents of soldiers revealed that troops were forced to wear their boots continuously during the entire Gaza ground operation, with no shower breaks for nearly a month. Regular paratroopers were also reportedly denied home leave for three months while other units received rest rotations.
The IDF has responded by appointing a Brigadier General to conduct an external investigation. "While these claims were previously examined months ago, their persistence warrants a fresh investigation," an IDF spokesperson said. They added that Colonel Biton's brigade has achieved "significant operational successes" across all combat zones during the current war.
