IDF

The IDF, or, Israel Defense Forces, is the national military force of the State of Israel and consists of the Israeli Ground Force, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy.

The IDF is headed by the Chief of Staff, who holds the rank of lieutenant general and is the only active officer who does so. The current chief of staff is Eyal Zamir.

The IDF was formally established in May 1948 after the creation of the Jewish State, and it encompassed the three paramilitary groups that existed prior to the state -  the Hagana, the Irgun, and the Stern Gang (Lehi). 

Since the formation of the IDF, it has participated in six major wars including the War of Independence, the Six Day War, the Sinai War, the Yom Kippur War, and the first and second Lebanon Wars. Other operations include Operation Cast Lead, Operation Pillar of Defense, Operation Protective Edge, Operation Guardian of the Walls, and Operation Swords of Iron.

Conscription to the IDF is mandatory for both men and women over the age of 18, with women in non-combat positions serving for two years, and women in combat positions, and men, regardless of position, have a mandatory service of two years and eight months.

In addition to regular military duties and activities, the IDF responds to national emergencies or crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and provides personnel to carry out work alongside the civilian population.

Read More
Less

After release of probes, state commission of inquiry in all angles of Oct. 7 essential

Maybe there’s no new information that will enable the families of the October 7 victims to move on and cope with their massive losses.

IDF kills Hamas commander Hassan Farhat in Lebanon strike

Farhat was responsible for launching the rocket fire that killed Staff-Sergeant Omer Sarah Benjo in February and wounded several others.

 Israeli researcher Ze'ev Erlich seen in IDF uniform before entering into southern Lebanon

IDF Colonel reflects on deadly Lebanon incident involving Ze’ev 'Jabo' Hanoch Erlich

Col. (res.) Yoav Yarom spoke out for the first time in a televised interview aired on Channel 12's "Uvda," as part of an investigative report by journalist Chen Lieberman.

Israel kills four Hamas terrorists in Jabalya, including one who partook in in Oct. 7 attacks

The terrorist that partook in the October 7 attacks and was killed was Shadi Diab Abd Al-Hamid Falouji of Hamas's East Jabalya Battalion.

Deputy A-G: 'Government ignoring IDF draft needs amid manpower crisis'

Gil Limon told attendees at Reichman University that the government failed to pass a draft law amidst the IDF manpower crisis.

Defense Minister Katz appoints Col. Netanel Kula as IDF chief censor

Kula was most recently the chief of intelligence for the IDF Central Command.

IDF, Israel Police ignored all security dangers leading to Nova festival massacre

Over 400 partygoers were essentially left defenseless once Hamas noticed their presence in the Re'im field areas near Gaza's border.

 The aftermath of Hamas's Nova music festival massacre in Re'im, southern Israel, on October 7, 2023

Nova festival massacre: Hamas murdered 378 Israelis in bloodiest Oct. 7 attack

Of the 378 Israelis killed, 344 were civilians • Hamas took 44 hostage from music festival, 17 remain in Gaza including 11 still among living

Former US pres. candidate claims 400,000 Gazans died in war without evidence

Nader had run in the US presidential elections on four separate occasions, but never as a Democrat or a Republican.

Training for IDF observers to change after Oct. 7 massacre

As part of the new guidelines, the observers will be given a personal weapon throughout their training in addition to the M-16 rifle. 

Subscribe for our daily newsletter
Subscribe for our daily newsletter

By subscribing I accept the terms of use and privacy policy