7 Introduction 1. The "IDF Strategy" document is the cornerstone for the use and buildup of force, and deals with the following issues:1 a. The manner in which the IDF analyses its internal and external operating environment. 1) Description of the State of Israel's defense concept (as reflected in its past work and in the manner in which Israel operates). 2) Description of the IDF's operating environment – international, strategic-operative and internal. b. The Strategy of the Use of Force, while focusing on the common elements of the various operational arenas in which the conflict is against a sub-state enemy (such as the Hezbollah and Hamas organizations). The unique context for the operational arenas must be developed in a parallel process, primarily – applying the general principles in the various functional situations to the operational challenge unique to the arena. c. Command and Control concept and the IDF's Order for Battle while defining the duties of the General Staff and the duties of the operational arena command staff, establishing the Chief of the General Staff as the sole operational commander in the IDF and the principles of command and control. d. Force buildup principles and capabilities required for the IDF while prioritizing them in principle, as a derivative of an analysis of the operating environment and the principles of use of force. 2. The follow-up processes deriving from this document are: a. Formulating a comprehensive and integrated use-of-force concept in the operational arenas and having them written up by the operational arena commanders. b. Formulating and writing up the force buildup concepts by the force-building branches and departments. 1 This document is an unclassified version of the IDF Strategy document that was formulated as part of the "Gideon" Multi-Year Plan.