Women of war: The IDF female combat soldiers guarding the Israeli-Egyptian border

Yahoo

4 days ago

Two female soldiers, K and Y – who serve in this capacity – are among the women making a significant impact on the front lines.
In a world where combat roles in the military are still largely dominated by men, the IDF stands out with its singular approach to gender equality in service.
In recent years, women have been finding their place in intense combat units, proving that female soldiers can be just as strong and intense as men. Women in Israel are not only allowed to serve in combat positions but are also encouraged to do so, with many stepping up to protect the country in critical roles.
This includes guarding Israel's southern border with Egypt, where the challenges are multifaceted and the stakes incredibly high. Two female soldiers, K and Y – who serve in this capacity – are among the women making a significant impact on the front lines. K is a captain and platoon commander, and Y is a first sergeant.
For both women, the decision to serve in a combat role was driven by personal conviction. While many young women in Israel might choose non-combat roles, these two women volunteered for the challenging and demanding task of defending Israel's border with Egypt.
K reflects on her decision, stating that she took a gap year before joining the army, immersing herself in the study of Israel's history, and determining her role as a future protector of the nation. 'It was about patriotism: about doing something bigger than myself,' she says.
In Israel, while military service is mandatory for both men and women, combat roles are not. Women must specifically volunteer for these roles; and once they do, they are expected to embrace their duties without hesitation. K's journey led her to the co-ed Caracal ('Wildcat') Battalion, where she joined fellow volunteers from her gap year.
Y comes from a family with no military tradition in combat service. 'I grew up knowing I could do my best,' she says, explaining how she initially considered non-combat roles. But the desire to fully contribute to the defense of her country – particularly on the front lines – eventually led her to combat training.
The realities of serving on the Egyptian border are not without their challenges.
The extreme weather conditions – scorching heat during the day and freezing temperatures at night – are just one of the many obstacles faced by soldiers in the region. However, the terrain is not the only challenge that these women and their comrades face. K and Y describe how the threat of smuggling, terrorism, and even drone activity has heightened in recent months.
Drones, often used for smuggling weapons and drugs, have become one of the most concerning threats on the border. As Y points out, 'Every day, anything can happen.' Whether it's a suspicious movement or a sudden shift in weather, the unknown factor is a constant that soldiers must prepare for. It is this unpredictability that demands the highest levels of mental and physical readiness.
However, K highlights that the most important challenge for her soldiers is knowing that they are the first line of defense for their country. 'We are the ones who make sure that citizens in nearby settlements and cities can sleep peacefully,' she says.
'In Israel's current and forever situation, we will always need a strong army, just like we have strong soldiers, whether they're male or female, who can protect the borders and do whatever it takes to make sure that every single citizen of our country sleeps quietly at night.'
One of the most striking elements of their stories is the sense of unity and camaraderie within their unit. Both K and Y emphasize the importance of teamwork in ensuring the success of their missions. 'Once you're a combat soldier, the people you serve with become your family,' says K. 'We take care of each other, and that's what makes us strong.'
While there is no doubt that gender plays a role in shaping the experience of female soldiers in combat, K and Y stress that it is not an issue within their unit.
'The gender issue doesn't exist here,' K says. 'We all do the same missions together, regardless of whether we're male or female. The only difference is where we sleep.'
Y, who has served in various capacities throughout her time in the army, adds that the presence of male and female soldiers in the same unit has only enriched the experience. 'Having men in our unit actually makes the experience better,' she says. 'It creates a different kind of dynamic, and it makes the service more interesting and fun.'
When asked about moments when training made a difference, both soldiers express how critical their combat training has been during tense situations. K recalls an emergency during the Oct. 7 events when her unit was called to action. In that scenario, quick thinking and solid training enabled her team to respond efficiently and with clarity, ensuring that wounded civilians received medical treatment while securing the area.
Y recounts a similar experience, reflecting on the importance of leadership and maintaining a calm presence. 'When you're leading soldiers, especially in tense situations, it's about keeping them together,' she says. 'We rely on one another, and that's what makes us stronger.'
One of the most common misconceptions about female combat soldiers is that they cannot perform as well as their male counterparts. Y disagrees strongly with this view. 'We prove ourselves every single day,' she says. 'Some people think we're here just to show off, but that's not the case. We are strong, we are capable, and we do the work just as well as any man.'
K also remembers an experience after the events of Oct. 7 when she was stationed in a religious settlement near the border. Initially, some people questioned her ability to command the unit because of her gender. 'But after a short time, they saw that women can do these roles just as well as men,' she says. 'They trusted us, and we earned that trust.'
For K and Y, their time on the border has shaped them in ways they never anticipated. Serving on the front lines has opened their eyes to the realities of life in a conflict zone. Y describes her experience as 'mind-opening,' explaining how being stationed on the border has expanded her understanding of Israel's security situation and the role of the IDF in maintaining peace.
For K, it's about contributing to the safety of Israel and its citizens. 'We have a responsibility to protect not just our people but the whole country,' she says. 'I am proud of what we do, and I know we're making a difference.'
K and Y have strong advice for young women considering joining the IDF in a combat role. K urges them to prepare mentally and physically. 'A strong body is essential, but a strong mind is even more important,' she says.
Y encourages resilience, urging women not to give up when faced with tough moments. 'The hard moments shape you,' she asserts. 'They build strong friendships and make you realize what you're truly capable of.'
'Don't give up, and don't let your worst moment shape you because there are some times where you're not expecting it to be hard,' Y says. 'These hard moments actually build you and let you know who your best friends are. If everything was easy, it wouldn't be the same. Just don't give up, and be prepared for it; and don't let the hardest moment take over you.'
In the eyes of K and Y, the work they do on the border is not only vital for Israel's security but is also deeply personal. 'Every day, we get very professional in our section of the border,' K reflects. 'And we do it all to make sure that each citizen is safe, and that's our priority.' These words speak to the heart of what it means to serve on the front lines: the dedication, the professionalism, and the commitment to protecting those who depend on them.
As they continue their service, K and Y remain inspired by their roles and the larger mission they carry out. Their contributions to the safety and security of Israel's southern border are a testament to their strength and resilience – and to the growing number of women in combat roles who prove that they are more than capable of standing side by side with their male counterparts in defending their – our – country. 