Record number of Women join IDF Combat Units in historic surge

Women have been an integral part of Israel’s military since the nation’s founding in 1948, but recent months have marked a historic turning point. Once limited to support roles under the Women’s Corps established in 1949, female soldiers are now stepping into frontline combat positions in unprecedented numbers, reflecting both a growing sense of patriotic duty and the Israel Defense Forces’ (IDF) evolving operational needs. Recent data shows that women now comprise more than one-third of all IDF personnel and nearly 25% of officers, with access to 92% of all military roles.

According to new IDF recruitment figures for March and April, female enlistment into combat units has surged well beyond expectations. The Artillery Corps led the way with a stunning 142% of its target for female recruits. Combat Intelligence Collection units followed with 132%, Border Defense Corps light infantry units saw 129%, and Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue units also reported 132%. Even traditionally selective branches like the Air Force’s air defense systems reported an impressive 115% turnout from women.

Brigadier General (ret.) Meir Elran noted this as a moment of true transformation. “The number of women in combat roles is growing constantly,” he explained. “The quality of service, the positions taken by women in Israeli military combat units, is becoming more prevalent and meaningful.”

This surge in female combat enlistment follows the events of October 7, after which the IDF began ramping up recruitment efforts to meet pressing operational demands. In response, the military launched targeted social media campaigns featuring real female soldiers who share firsthand experiences from border units, intelligence teams, and emergency response squads. These authentic and emotional narratives have gained momentum across platforms like Instagram and TikTok, resonating deeply with young Israeli women.

To further integrate women into the most strategic branches of defense, the IDF has launched a pilot program allowing female soldiers to serve in Military Intelligence Directorate’s elite Unit 504, which handles sensitive human intelligence missions vital to national security. This marks another significant milestone in gender integration within Israel’s defense forces.

Together, these developments reflect not only a broadening of roles but also a growing recognition of the impact and resilience of Israel’s female warriors, both in the field and in shaping the future of the country’s security.