The division was established in September 1954. Until 1958 it was led by AlufAvraham Yoffe. At the time, divisional commands were mission-based commands without organic forces, but rather with troops apportioned according to given missions. It was led by AlufZvi Zamir from 1958 until he was succeeded by AlufUzi Narkiss in 1962, who led until 1965. From 1965–1969, it was led by AlufElad Peled.
During the 1967
Six-Day War, the division led the battles in the northern
West Bank, commanding the
Barak Armored Brigade (then the 45th Armored Brigade), the 37th Brigade and forces from the
1st Brigade. Later, it oversaw the occupation of the southern
Golan Heights. After the war, from 1969 to 1972, the division was led by AlufShmuel Gonen (Gorodish). From 1972 to 1974, it was led by then-AlufRafael Eitan.
During the
Yom Kippur War of October 1973, the division fought in the defensive battles over the northern Golan, and afterwards broke deeper into Syrian territory. During
Operation Litani, Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1978, the division fought on the eastern front. During the
1982 Lebanon War, it fought on the central front, proceeding along the coastal route to
Beirut.