These soldiers have saved Israeli's lifes multiple times, but the civilians have no clue of who are they.
Somewhere in southern Israel, under the hum of radar and the tension of incoming threats, women soldiers are carrying one of the heaviest responsibilities in modern warfare: the operation and protection of the Iron Dome. As part of the Swords of Iron war, their role has become not only strategic but symbolic of Israel’s resilience.
Under Control
Inside the control rooms and on the ground, female combat soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are at the heart of the world’s most advanced aerial and missile defense system. Staff Sergeant Y, who serves as an interceptor operator, describes the pressure in a single sentence:
“We see on our screens that there have been launches, and when we see a missile coming, we take it down. You feel like you have the whole world on your shoulders, but you carry it with so much pride.”
The Iron Dome’s split-second decision-making demands both precision and nerve. For these women, it is not just a mission, it’s a commitment to every civilian living under the shadow of rockets.
