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.

Netanyahu offers to fire Edelstein for haredi parties staying in coalition

Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility” and refrain from toppling the government over their insistence to exempt at least half of eligible haredim from IDF draft.

 Head of Shas party Arye Deri, June 8, 2025.
 IDF soldiers operate in Gaza's Beit Hanun, July 2025; illustrative.

IDF soldier hospitalized after apparently suffering self-inflicted gunshot wound

 IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir with the IDF's General Staff Forum, June 24, 2025.

IDF shuffles several General Staff positions

 IDF soldiers operating in Beit Hanun, July 2025.

WATCH: IDF destroys terror infrastructure in Gaza's Beit Hanun, Khan Yunis


IDF seeks to stop dozens of Israeli civilians infiltrating Syria

 IDF soldiers operating in southern Syria, where they arrested members of a terror cell operated by Iran's Quds Force, July 7, 2025.

Edelstein to haredim: Now is not time to topple government

Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chair Yuli Edelstein called on haredi politicians to exhibit “national responsibility.”

 Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

IDF investigation reveals three soldiers killed by exploding turret, not missile

The initial assessment by the IDF was that an anti-tank missile caused the explosion.

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

Rabbis and Netanyahu’s draft‑exemption monster rips at Israel’s coalition - comment

After years of delay tactics and political bartering, the ultra‑Orthodox draft crisis has burst its cage, threatening to topple the government amid war.

 View of a United Torah Judaism party meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 9, 2025.

IDF to launch mandatory Islamic studies and Arabic training for all intelligence soldiers

Following intelligence failures around October 7, 2023, the IDF is mandating that all intelligence personnel undergo training in both Arabic and Islamic cultural studies.

 IDF soldiers are seen working as part of the Israeli military's Gaza battlefield intelligence collection unit.

Clashes in Sweida: Why are Druze, Bedouin, Israeli forces fighting in this Syrian city? - explainer

Here is everything you need to know about Sweida in Syria, who is fighting, and why Israel is now involved.

 Members of Syrian security forces patrol after being deployed in the village of Al-Soura al-Kubra, following clashes between Sunni Islamist militants and Druze fighters, in Sweida province, Syria, May 2, 2025

IDF strikes Hezbollah Radwan training camps deep in Lebanese territory

An attack on mere Hezbollah infantry training camps, which lack threatening weapons, shows how up against the wall Hezbollah is.

 An IDF soldier inspects weapons uncovered from a Hazbollah Radwan Force tunnel in southern Lebanon. December 28, 2024.

Syria announces ceasefire in Sweida after agreement with local leaders, IDF strikes regime targets

Syrian troops entered the predominantly Druze city on Tuesday following two days of clashes, the first time government forces have deployed to Sweida since the new government took power.

 Syrian forces enter Sweida as Druze leader says truce talks underway on July 15, 2025.

IDF postpones evacuation of Tzur Harel outpost after operation plans leaked - report

Dozens of Palestinian vehicles were set on fire in the village of Burqa, near the Tzur Harel outpost, on Monday night. 

 A Palestinian man stands next to a burnt car after an attack by Israeli settlers in Kafr Malik, in the West Bank, June 26, 2025.

October 7 probe: 35 Hamas terrorists overran Mop Darom base, led to collapse of camp's defense

The investigation concluded that the tenacity and courage of the soldiers and commanders from the Golani Brigade, and reinforcements who arrived to assist, were noteworthy.

 Israeli security forces on road 232 near Sderot.

US, allies agree August deadline for Iran nuclear deal, Netanyahu offers to fire Edelstein

US asks Israel to stop strikes on Syrian military forces in south Syria • Shas could resign from gov't as soon as Thursday following UTJ's exit

 U.S. President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks with the media after attending the FIFA Club World Cup final upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S, July 13, 2025.