[1] The unit was created in 1968 in an effort to unify Israeli armoured forces in the Sinai, taking an active part in the War of Attrition.

The Israel Defense Forces said that "the 252nd Division has killed hundreds of Hamas operatives, including senior members, in Beit Hanoun and Jabaliya."

The unit has been accused of arbitrary killings of civilians by Haaretz.

The current commander Yehuda Vach has been accused of claiming that "there are no innocents in Gaza" in the same article.

[4] The IDF has repeatedly denied allegations that it targets civilians, and presented findings to the International Court of Justice that it claims displays "extraordinary measures in order to minimize the harm to civilians".