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 spokesman talks of overthrowing Hamas at site of Mohammed Sinwar killing
Defrin was responding to criticism of multiple recent incidents where Hamas managed to explode and cause the collapse of Gaza houses onto IDF soldiers who had entered those structures.
Israeli military kills Hamas terrorist who infiltrated Israel on Oct. 7 in Jabalya op.
IDF kills Hamas terrorist in southern Syria
Despite denials: Gaza militias receiving weapons from IDF, guarding aid distribution - report
WATCH: Gaza spokesperson providing casualty count is a Hamas agent, IDF reveals
Throughout the current war, the IDF has recommended that media outlets be wary of reports and casualty statistics provided by Gaza's "civil defense" team.
Will arming Gazan militias against Hamas harm Israel in the long run? - analysis
Relying on a tribal militia or clan in Gaza may work in the short term. However, in the long term it is unlikely to achieve success.
IDF names Sgt. Cohen, Sgt.-Maj. Rotstein as additional fallen soldiers in Khan Yunis
The IDF announced on Friday that four Israeli soldiers were killed and five others were wounded in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, when a bomb detonated, causing a building to collapse on the troops.
WATCH: IDF drone video shows Hamas command center under Khan Yunis hospital
The IDF released footage showing a Hamas tunnel network used as a command center beneath Gaza’s European Hospital, used to coordinate attacks and store weapons.
IDF, Shin Bet foil imminent terror attack in northern West Bank
Authorities say the arrest of Muslim Mazarwa, a key figure in the Jenin terror network, could deal a significant blow to planned attacks in the region.
Israeli forces recover body of murdered Thai hostage Pinta Nattapong in special Gaza operation
"We will not rest or be silent until we return all of our hostages home - both the living and the dead," the PMO said in a statement.
Israel warned Lebanese gov't of Hezbollah strikes in Beirut, army did not act - KAN
Israeli officials informed Lebanon of its intended strike on Hezbollah terror targets in Dahiyeh a week prior.
Israel at War day 610: What's happening in Israel and Gaza?
IDF recovers body of killed Thai hostage in Gaza• Iran claims to steal Israeli intel
Israel’s sports world pays tribute to fallen soldiers Yoav Raver and Chen Gross
Raver chose to enlist in the IDF's Yahalom unit as a combat engineer, though he could have continued playing basketball professionally.
17-year-old student develops IED defense system for the IDF
Groundbreaking innovation comes from the youth: Exclusive – a high school student from Netanya has developed a life-saving system for early detection of explosive devices along IDF traffic routes.
Learning Israel's enemies: Officer sheds light on Israeli intel. gathering during war
'People like me in this position, we have hundreds of hours of facetime with the other side.'
