Female IDF soldiers share ‘proud to serve’ messages on International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released recordings of female soldiers participating in Operation Roaring Lion against the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighting the expanding role of women in Israel’s military operations.

Maj. R. made history last month by becoming the first female soldier in the Israeli military’s history to command an Israeli Navy missile ship. 

“I am on a missile ship at sea with the officers and fighters, far from the shores of the State of Israel,” the female commander stated over the radio. 

“Flotilla 3 has been deployed in the maritime arena since the start of the campaign. We are carrying out strikes to remove threats, detecting and intercepting aerial threats, all to protect our home,” she added. “The fighting spirit is very high, and the camaraderie between fighters, men and women alike, is powerful."

“My soldiers and I will remain here for as long as required to safeguard the security of the State of Israel and its citizens,” she pledged. 

Female IDF soldiers also fulfill critical tasks in the Israeli Air Force. 

“I have a stable lock. Hit – fire,” a female Israeli Air Force combat navigator stated. 

Capt. S., a company commander in the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade, stressed the importance of her company’s life-saving tasks amid war. 

“I am here with my company, the Shavit Company, on rescue standby and ready to reach any scene we are called to in order to save lives,” she explained. 

“We are conducting training and raising our readiness to arrive as prepared and professional as possible.” 

“Proud today and every day, and especially on International Women’s Day, to command soldiers and lead efforts to save lives,” the female IDF officer concluded.

Israel is one of the few countries in the world with mandatory military conscription for women. However, women were playing a limited role in offensive combat units until recently. This changed dramatically following the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, when the Israeli military urgently needed to increase the number of combat soldiers. 

“Today, women make up 20.9% of the IDF’s combat force – this is an unprecedented figure. We’re also seeing an increase in the technological units, but the main surge is in women serving as combat soldiers,” Brig. Gen. Shay Tayeb, head of the Personnel Directorate’s Planning and Personnel Management Division, stated in 2025. 

Some 8,500 women served in IDF combat units in 2025, according to data from the Israeli military. This is double the number of female combat soldiers in 2020 and almost 10 times higher than it was a decade ago.

During the Second Lebanon War with Hezbollah in 2006, women made up only 3% of all combat soldiers at the time. More than 90% of all military roles in the IDF are currently open to women. The slow drafting of ultra-Orthodox men has meant more career options available to female IDF soldiers. 

There are currently 30 female combat aircrew members in the Israeli Air Force participating in the ongoing air offensive against Iran. Women also play a leading role in military intelligence. 

“Women have served in the IDF since its founding, and their service makes a significant contribution to achieving its missions,” the Israeli military stated. “During Operation Roaring Lion as well, they are an integral part of the operational activity, both at the front and on the home front.”

Overall, women constitute 35% of all career service personnel in the Israeli military. Furthermore, women constitute 24% of the personnel at the rank of lieutenant colonel and above, and 15% at the rank of colonel and above.