In 1948 , at the age of 20 , he joined the Haganah ( which shortly afterwards became the Israeli Defence Forces ) .
In 1948 , at the age of 20 , he fought in the 1948 Arab -- Israeli War , which began after Israel declared statehood .
In 1948 , at the age of 20 , he joined the Haganah ( which shortly afterwards became the Israeli Defence Forces ) and fought in the 1948 Arab -- Israeli War , which began after Israel declared statehood .