Formerly the 880th Division, it was founded in 1974, after the Yom Kippur War, as a reserve division. In 1982, during the First Lebanon War, the division, which included three armored brigades, remained in command reserve, and entered the eastern front during the Battle of Sultan Yacoub. In 2002, during Operation Defensive Shield, it was responsible for the military occupation of Jenin. In 2005 the unit was responsible for evacuating the northern Gaza Strip during the disengagement plan. Between 2005 and 2010, its commander was also the IDF's Chief Armor Officer (head of the Armored Corps), but in April 2010 these roles were separated. Also, in 2010, the division was awarded first place in the Ramatkal prize for distinguished reserve units.