International Women’s Day

Ever since the establishment of the IDF, women have played a crucial role in its everyday operations. From intelligence officers to combat medics to helicopter pilots, women contribute in a vast array of positions across the military. During the ‘Swords of Iron’ war, their contributions have only increased. Active duty and reserve soldiers alike have answered the call, working tirelessly, around the clock, to secure and defend the citizens of Israel and fight the terror our enemies pose across multiple fronts. 

As we marked International Women’s Day on Saturday, I’d like to share the stories of two outstanding groups of women who have exemplified the strength and valor of women in the IDF.

The Tank Operators Who Broke Down the Barriers of Expectation

On the morning of October 7th, 2023, Hamas terrorists infiltrated southern Israel, massacring more than 1,200 people and abducting 251 hostages into the Gaza Strip. Many kilometers southward, on a military base on the border with Egypt, a team of female tank operators from the Caracal Battalion sprang to action as they began to understand the gravity of the situation.

While driving on Route 232, the access road to the communities near the Gaza Strip, the tank operators bravely engaged in combat against dozens of terrorists. Receiving information about an incident at Kibbutz Holit, they quickly made their way there, only to discover that the gate to the kibbutz was closed. Gaining momentum with the tank, they smashed through the gate, rushing to the scene of the incident. 

As they searched for terrorists, they were suddenly attacked from behind. The tank operators identified the terrorist attacking them, fired a shell towards him, and broke through the perimeter fence to ensure they had eliminated him. The tank operators continued to work to secure the area, firing bursts to prevent terrorists from approaching and ensuring that all residents of the kibbutz were safe.

Afterward, the team received another report of a terrorist infiltration on the other side of the kibbutz. Once arriving at the area and realizing the terrorists had fled, the team took action and started moving west to locate them. While the terrorists were firing in the area, they identified two of them and eliminated them.

In the face of evil, against the cruelty of terrorists, women rose and took action. IDF women consistently demonstrate courage and bravery. Their courage and bravery save lives. 

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The IDF’s “Diamonds”

In April 2024, after successfully completing exercises in urban warfare, neutralizing explosives, operating drones, and treating and evacuating the wounded—all under relentless rain—ten female soldiers made the grueling climb to the top of a mountain. This marked their final step in the course, qualifying them to become the first-ever female soldiers in the IDF’s elite Yahalom Unit.

“Yahalom,” which translates to diamond in Hebrew, is the most elite unit of the Combat Engineering Corps. The unit’s soldiers specialize in unique engineering capabilities, such as dealing with underground terror tunnels and dangerous explosives.

The female soldiers began their journey in the unit before the war, but after the events of October 7th, their anticipated training changed completely. Their team assisted in defending the communities near the Gaza Strip. They also participated in combat within the Gaza Strip, where they conducted extensive engineering operations, including the dismantling of terrorist structures and underground activity.

In a role originally intended for men, flexibility and strength were essential to adapt to the demanding challenges of the job, one that had never been undertaken by women before. 

In a job demanding nothing less than excellence, women proved, against all odds, that they could. IDF women continue to show that nothing will stand in the way of getting the job done.

It is important for me to turn to all IDF women, whose courage and bravery defend our civilians in the face of terror, whose innovation and creativity allow the army to continue to grow and become stronger, and whose willingness and strength help create a difference. I’d like to thank you for all you do to better the IDF. You serve as an inspiration for generations to come, proving every day what women are capable of. 

Until next time, 

LTC Nadav Shoshani