By Olive Enokido-Lineham, OSINT producer 

The Israeli army says its 401st brigade took “operational control” of the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt this morning. But who are the ‘iron tracks’ brigade and what do we know about them?  The unit has been seen in a number of IDF videos across Gaza – including at a UNRWA site, near a hospital in Gaza City and by an alleged Hamas tunnel.  

401st seen at Rafah  

The brigade’s flag was spotted on top of a tank in videos geolocated this morning to the road between Kerem Shalom checkpoint and Rafah crossing. The tanks are seen heading north towards Rafah – just under 3km from the Rafah crossing.  

The flag is consistent with the 401st shoulder tag – seen in numerous posts on their Instagram, as seen below. The brigade’s Instagram bio refers to 401 as the “iron tracks” brigade. 

Other videos geolocated to the Rafah crossing this morning show tanks running over Gaza signs on the Gaza side of the crossing. These tanks have similar features to a Merkava Mark IV, which the 401 brigade uses, including its turret. 

Who is in the brigade? 

The 401st is one of three brigades that make up the Israeli army’s armoured corps which is described as a “decisive factor in the battlefield” and has played a “central role in every war throughout Israel’s history”, according to the IDF’s website.

It says the 401st consists mostly of Merkava Mark IV tanks – previously described by an IDF sergeant as “the king of the battlefield in urban combat”.  

The brigade’s commander, Lt Col Benny Aharon, has appeared in a number of IDF videos inside Gaza. 

Where else has 401 been seen?  

The brigade has been seen across the Gaza Strip since 7 October.  

In February, it was part of a targeted raid on the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) central headquarters. The IDF claimed weapons like grenades were found inside and that it provided “cover” for Hamas operations. Hamas has denied operating in civilian facilities.  

Israel has accused hundreds of staff of UNRWA, the biggest humanitarian aid provider in Gaza, of being members of terrorist groups including Hamas. 

The allegations prompted some donors to pause UNRWA funding. 

In April, a review of the agency’s neutrality said Israel is yet to provide supporting evidence for its accusation. The UN appointed former French foreign minister Catherine Colonna to lead the UNRWA review. 

The 401st brigade was also part of an operation by Gaza City’s Rantisi hospital, where the IDF claimed Hamas tunnel shafts were located in November.