The **Etziyyoni Brigade** was one of the Haganah brigades that operated primarily in **Jerusalem and its surrounding areas** during the Nakba and the occupation of Palestine in 1948. The brigade took part in several battles and military operations aimed at controlling Jerusalem, the roads leading to it, and nearby Palestinian villages. Its units also participated in **Operation Dani** in July 1948 and later in **Operation Ha-Har** in October 1948 alongside the Harel Brigade and other forces.
One of the brigade’s notable actions involving Palestinian villages was the attack by its **Eighth Battalion on al-Walaja on the night of 21 October 1948** during Operation Ha-Har. The force temporarily entered the village but was later compelled to withdraw following successful Arab counterattacks. Therefore, the occupation of al-Walaja at that stage was not permanent.
