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.

IDF soldier takes own life on base in Golan Heights

The soldier had fought in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.

 May their memory be a blessing.
 IDF announces deaths of three soldiers in Gaza, July 14, 2025.

Tank explosion kills three IDF soldiers in northern Gaza, one wounded

 Palestinians at the rubble of a destroyed building after an Israeli airstrike in the central Gaza Strip, on November 5, 2023

Hamas uses Gaza's rubble as a tactical advantage against the IDF - analysis

 Danish missionary, Lydia Christensen, and her husband British soldier, Derek Prince, with their eight adopted Jerusalemite girls.

From Denmark to Israel: A journey of faith, war, and miracles - opinion


Security forces kill terrorist who held Emily Damari hostage in his Gaza home

Quneita was a member of Hamas' Al-Furqan Battalions' military intelligence battalion, and infiltrated Israel on October 7.

 IDF kills Hamas terrorist Muhammad Nasr Ali Quneita, July 14, 2025.

WATCH: IDF strikes Syrian tanks that advanced towards sectarian violence, near Israel's border

Since Sunday, 89 people have been killed and at least 100 wounded in armed clashes in Syria's predominantly Druze city of Sweida.

 IDF troops operate on Mount Hermon in Syria, May 5, 2025.

War in Israel: A real-life Marvel movie that isn't over yet - opinion

From the shocking beginning that was the October 7 massacre, to the stunning aerial assault on Iran, the war in Israel developed like a real-life drama.

 IDF soldiers operate in the Morag Corridor, in the southern Gaza Strip.

Tank explosion kills three soldiers in north Gaza, IDF soldier takes own life on northern base

Degel Hatorah announces exit from gov't • EU sees some good signs on Gaza aid but more needed • Israel submits third map for ceasefire negotiations

 IDF soldiers operating throughout the Gaza Strip, July 9, 2025.

IDF failed to protect Ofakim on Oct. 7, leading to death of 33 Israelis, incl. 25 civilians - probe

Security forces in Ofakim, including police officers, armed civilians, and IDF soldiers were motivated to repel Hamas's Nukhba force terrorists, leading to the killing of all 15, the probe noted.

 A women standing beside a memorial monument in Mishor Hagefen neighborhood that was attacked by Hamas terrorists on 7 October massacre, in the southern Israeli city of Ofakim, September 19, 2024.

Former hostage Agam Berger performs at Air Force pilot's graduation ceremony

Berger performed the song "They Will Always Wait for You" alongside the IDF's military band.

 Former Gaza hostage Agam Berger  performed the song "They Will Always Wait for You" with the IDF’s military band at the 190th Air Force graduation ceremony

IDF 'Alpine' Unit raids Syrian Assad-era command posts to prevent weapons smuggling

Reservists of the IDF's 810th Brigade have uncovered command posts, over three tons of ammunition leftover from Assad's regime on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.

Weapons located and confiscated in the area

Arye Deri denies telling Shas MKs to prepare to leave gov't coalition in coming days

Israel's public broadcaster KAN News reported the claim earlier on Sunday evening, but it was later denied by a spokesperson from Deri's office.

 Shas party leader MK Arye Deri after a meeting on the haredi draft bill in Jerusalem, June 4, 2025.

IDF announces deaths of senior Hamas, PIJ terrorists in Gaza over past two weeks

Eight of the terrorists were from Hamas's Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades and one was from Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

 An IDF infographic identifying nine Gaza terrorists killed in July 2025.

Israel is losing the narrative worldwide in West Bank and Gaza - comment

Fact-checking becomes impossible in war zones, and unverified casualty figures are often published uncritically. Headlines blame Israel for bombings before investigations can conclude.

 Israeli tanks are seen in a gathering zone in northern Gaza, July 8, 2025

'A miracle it ended with only minor wounds': IDF soldier wounded by accidental fire from Gaza

A bullet fired from the Gaza Strip lightly wounded an IDF soldier near the Sha’ar Hanegev Junction on Sunday.

 Damage to vehicle from stray fire from Gaza