IDF Combat Forces Reach 20% Female Amid Manpower Challenges

Women are playing an increasingly significant role in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), with females now comprising about 20.9% of combat soldiers, a tenfold increase over the past decade. Despite this surge, women remain excluded from certain frontline units such as maneuvering infantry, armored forces, and most commando units. This rise in female combatants partly responds to a shortage of Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) male soldiers, many of whom evade conscription. Meanwhile, Israeli families, particularly women, endure profound emotional challenges as their loved ones serve in combat, often facing prolonged absences during ongoing conflicts such as the Gaza War. Separately, the plight of hostages held by Hamas continues to resonate, with families like Lishay Lavi Miran advocating internationally for the release of their relatives. These dynamics highlight both evolving military demographics and the enduring human costs of conflict in Israel.