Female IDF combat intelligence group in southern Lebanon, Nov 18, 2024<\/p>\n
Female Israeli soldiers entered Lebanon for the first time several weeks ago to support ground operations against Hezbollah, according to Israel’s Walla News.<\/p>\n
Amid the recent expansion of ground operations, the IDF moved several new units into Lebanon, many of them for the first time in their history. Among them were the Haruv reconnaissance unit, the \u201cSky Rider\u201d drone unit, heavy artillery units, and an all-female combat intelligence team.<\/p>\n
The deployment of the unit was approved by the IDF\u2019s Northern Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin several weeks ago, Walla News\u2019 military correspondent Amir Bohbot reported after the team was set up in the Mount Dov region and along the Syrian border.<\/p>\n
The female combat team’s mission was to infiltrate behind enemy lines, gather intelligence about the location of Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure, as well as identify targets for IDF artillery and Air Force strikes.<\/p>\n
Corporal Shani (20) explained, \u201cWe walked about 1.5 kilometers into Lebanon, established a position in the field, maintained camouflage, and began intelligence collection using observation tools. Operationally, we entered areas untouched by Israeli forces since the Second Lebanon War.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn one case, we guided tank fire based on our photographs. The images we captured directly incriminated Hezbollah, showcasing their weaponry inside homes and villages. Later, attack helicopters struck those targets,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Despite the mission being planned as an ambush lasting over 24 hours, a fire forced the team to retreat after around 12 hours, through thick vegetation while carrying 40% of their body weight in equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re the first-ever female combat team to enter Lebanon. Telling my family was emotional \u2013 my mom was upset, but my dad was proud. There\u2019s no fear in the moment, just adrenaline. You focus entirely on the mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another soldier, corporal Tehila, encouraged girls that they could also take part in meaningful combat missions, despite the clich\u00e9 that female soldiers often get stationed in \u201cboring\u201d desert posts along the Jordanian and Egyptian borders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis proves otherwise. If you push yourself and excel, incredible opportunities await,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Israel Defense Forces has always recruited women but only recently made nearly all units available to women.<\/p>\n
Most of the combat units that include women serving next to men are under the command of the Paran Regional Brigade, including the pioneering “Caracal” infantry battalion, the IDF’s first mixed combat battalion.<\/p>\n
On Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas invasion and massacre in southern Israel, the Paran Brigade’s tank squad killed dozens of terrorists<\/strong><\/a> and saved Kibbutz Holit from being attacked.<\/p>\n