Editor’s Note: The following excerpts are adapted from an article originally published in Israel Hayom.
For Lt. S., a skilled ballet dancer, a contract with a Barcelona dance company awaited. All she had to do was fly and sign. On the other side lay a draft notice from the IDF, offering a post in the Technological and Maintenance Corps, formerly the Ordnance Corps. She chose the army. Now 23, she wears dusty boots and grease-stained fatigues, evidence of a morning spent repairing a Namer armored vehicle. She serves as a platoon commander in Givati Reconnaissance.
“The decision was difficult because dance was my great love,” she says. “I danced from age three and competed internationally from ten, but I knew that serving my country came first. My parents and grandfather served in the military. Dance is a career, but I decided early that I would serve, and field work drew me in.”
Until recently, women in combat roles were rare, and some officials openly opposed the idea. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich once said, “The army’s role is to fight and win, not to promote feminist beliefs.” The Swords of Iron war changed that perception, proving that women can fight, survive captivity, and lead a company.
In 2025, four women in elite units say gender does not define capability. Alongside Lt. S. are Lt. K., fire support officer in Givati Reconnaissance; Lt. Dr. A., medical officer of Nahal Reconnaissance; and Maj. N., operations officer of Haruv Reconnaissance.
“People used to be shocked by the idea of a woman in combat,” Maj. N. says. “Now, the concern is for anyone captured, man or woman. Life is equal on the battlefield.” Lt. Dr. A. adds, “When Staff Sgt. Agam Naim fell, it was just as shocking as if a man had fallen. You cannot treat it differently.” She had dreamed of being a combat physician since she was 17 and joined a recon unit to push her limits.
Lt. K., 22, grew up in a military family and was always drawn to combat. Maj. N. initially considered education work but chose combat when she realized the chance to serve on the front line was limited. “When I joined the Haruv unit, people doubted a woman could lead in combat,” she says. “But respect comes from skill, not gender.”
Entering units with traditionally masculine cultures, the women faced skepticism. Lt. S. recalls being questioned on technical decisions and learning every detail of vehicle maintenance. “Once the battalion commander told me, ‘I see you as a professional,’ I relaxed,” she says. Lt. Dr. A. recalls her first assignment with the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, carrying a 30-kilo pack through two weeks of combat in Lebanon. She focused on her duties rather than her gender.
Field service has been demanding. Lt. S. was sent into Gaza with little notice and communicates her location to her family in short messages. Maj. N. describes managing operations during Operation Iron Wall in Jenin, coordinating responses under fire. Lt. K. recalls IED attacks near fortified positions, directing fire missions to protect her troops. Each faced high-stakes decisions with lives on the line.
The work requires technical skill. Lt. S. has learned vehicle repair and engine work, sometimes lifting or moving parts as heavy as herself. Maj. N. has carried injured enemy fighters under fire. The women say physical differences exist, but they adjust and work with their units to achieve results.
Life in combat exposes soldiers to death and injury. Lt. Dr. A. treated multiple casualties during her first month and relied on focus to manage the chaos. Lt. S. had to remain calm when former classmates were wounded. Maj. N. acknowledges the toll of losing soldiers but continues to lead. The women say these experiences have made them stronger and more aware of the value of daily life.
Despite challenges, the women take pride in their roles. Lt. S. reflects on her choice, saying she would not trade it for a dance career. Lt. K. accepts long separations from family and uncomfortable conditions as part of service. Maj. N. describes the strength required to balance career ambitions with personal life.
All four describe moments that defined their service. Lt. K. survived her first firefight and realized she could act under pressure. Lt. A. helped a gravely wounded soldier and later received gratitude from his family. Lt. S. was welcomed into Givati Reconnaissance by her commander, confirming her place in the unit. Maj. N. recalls young women thanking her for protecting them, reinforcing the significance of her work.
The women reject claims that female soldiers are more sensitive. Maj. N. describes working alongside male troops in Gaza, noting that emotional differences can strengthen operations. Lt. K. says living and working closely with men reduces distinctions in practice. Lt. Dr. A. observes that many men are more sensitive than women in her units.
They emphasize the IDF’s careful targeting processes in combat. Maj. N. recounts rescuing a civilian during an assault, observing strict limits on collateral damage. Lt. K. describes operations near hospitals and schools where booby traps and terrorist activity coexist, all conducted under approval from senior commanders. Lt. Dr. A. stresses that care is impartial and guided by law, regardless of who is in front of them.
The war has shaped the women personally as well as professionally. Lt. Dr. A. describes witnessing recovery from severe injuries as a profound experience. Lt. S. talks about leading soldiers of varied ages, providing guidance and protection like a senior sibling or parent. Lt. K. reflects on the endurance built from minimal rest, long operations, and close encounters with death. Maj. N. says these experiences clarified what is worth protecting and strengthened her commitment to service.
Their service also reinforces a historical continuity. Maj. N. notes that women have been combatants in Israel since its founding, citing figures like Hannah Szenes and Esther Arditi. Lt. S. says she sometimes imagines herself on a beach abroad but chooses to remain with her unit. Lt. K. accepts personal sacrifices, including family events, for the role she has long dreamed of. Maj. N. says being strong and meeting the mission defines a woman in combat.
Maj. N. plans to continue a military career while also raising a family, highlighting the balance required for female officers. She jokes about officers preferring combat over childcare, noting that women excel at multitasking. Lt. K. intends to study medicine after her service. Lt. S. hopes to study law and international relations, considering extending her service. Lt. Dr. A. aspires to become a neurosurgeon while fulfilling her duties.
Moments of first achievement are vivid for the women. Lt. K. survived her first firefight with an anti-tank missile fired at her team. Lt. A. assisted a gravely wounded soldier and later received thanks from his mother. Lt. S. recalls being welcomed into her new unit by the battalion commander. Maj. N. remembers civilians expressing gratitude, reinforcing the purpose of her work.
These four soldiers operate under fire, take responsibility for others, and make split-second decisions. Their presence challenges assumptions about women in combat. They demonstrate that courage, skill, and commitment are determined by training, knowledge, and determination rather than gender. Their service marks a significant evolution in Israeli military culture, reflecting both the demands of modern warfare and the capacity of women to meet them fully.
