IDF female combat soldiers from combat intelligence in southern Lebanon, November 18, 2024. (Photo: IDF)
Female Israeli soldiers entered Lebanon for the first time several weeks ago to support ground operations against Hezbollah, according to Israel’s Walla News.
Amid the recent expansion of ground operations, the IDF moved several new units into Lebanon, many of them for the first time in their history. Among them were the Haruv reconnaissance unit, the “Sky Rider” drone unit, heavy artillery units, and an all-female combat intelligence team.
The deployment of the unit was approved by the IDF’s Northern Command Chief Maj.-Gen. Ori Gordin several weeks ago, Walla News’ military correspondent Amir Bohbot reported after the team was set up in the Mount Dov region and along the Syrian border.
The female combat team’s mission was to infiltrate behind enemy lines, gather intelligence about the location of Hezbollah terrorists and infrastructure, as well as identify targets for IDF artillery and Air Force strikes.
Corporal Shani (20) explained, “We walked about 1.5 kilometers into Lebanon, established a position in the field, maintained camouflage, and began intelligence collection using observation tools. Operationally, we entered areas untouched by Israeli forces since the Second Lebanon War.”
“In one case, we guided tank fire based on our photographs. The images we captured directly incriminated Hezbollah, showcasing their weaponry inside homes and villages. Later, attack helicopters struck those targets,” she added.
Despite the mission being planned as an ambush lasting over 24 hours, a fire forced the team to retreat after around 12 hours, through thick vegetation while carrying 40% of their body weight in equipment.
“We’re the first-ever female combat team to enter Lebanon. Telling my family was emotional – my mom was upset, but my dad was proud. There’s no fear in the moment, just adrenaline. You focus entirely on the mission.”
Another soldier, corporal Tehila, encouraged girls that they could also take part in meaningful combat missions, despite the cliché that female soldiers often get stationed in “boring” desert posts along the Jordanian and Egyptian borders.
“This proves otherwise. If you push yourself and excel, incredible opportunities await,” she said.
Israel Defense Forces has always recruited women but only recently made nearly all units available to women.
Most of the combat units that include women serving next to men are under the command of the Paran Regional Brigade, including the pioneering “Caracal” infantry battalion, the IDF’s first mixed combat battalion.
On Oct. 7, 2023, during the Hamas invasion and massacre in southern Israel, the Paran Brigade’s tank squad killed dozens of terrorists and saved Kibbutz Holit from being attacked.
The IDF has deepened its advance into southern Lebanon in recent days, pushing five to six kilometers (3 to 4 miles) deep into the country and attacking the second line of villages.
To assist the forces spearheading the advance, the army, for the first time, moved heavy, self-propelled M-109 howitzers of the 282nd Artillery Regiment over the border. The IDF said this will increase their range to better support the ground troops.
According to the Israeli military, the 282nd Regiment has so far shelled thousands of Hezbollah targets, including weapon depots, command centers and rocket launching sites, killing hundreds of Hezbollah terrorists in the process.
Another team fighting within Lebanon for the first time is the “Sky Rider” unit, comprised of teams operating small but powerful reconnaissance drones to help ground forces recognize ambushes and gather intelligence about their immediate surroundings.
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