• The untold heroism of female lookouts at the Yiftach Outpost on Oct. 7: Female observers showed courage under unrelenting pressure. Isabella Sanger identified terrorists fleeing in a stolen Humvee, fixed a remote-controlled “See-Shoot” weapon, and neutralized them. Hila Avraham noted: “We didn’t leave the command center for 11 straight days. No showers, we washed hair in the sink.” Another added: “Not one lookout abandoned her post, even when terrorists were right outside.” (Yedioth Ahronoth.)
• By the numbers – the surge in female combat soldiers: The IDF’s glass ceiling has been shattered. The number of female combat soldiers in the IDF has seen a dramatic tenfold increase over the past decade, from just 500 to 5,300 this year (out of 7,000 who sought such roles). Mixed-gender battalions are stationed along the borders with Egypt, Jordan and the Judea & Samaria separation barrier; women make up over 60% of these forces. (Jerusalem Post.)
• The all-female medical team in Gaza’s most dangerous sectors: The 74th Battalion operates under constant fire in Gaza, making life-and-death decisions in seconds. Sgt. N, just 20 years old, has served in Lebanon, Syria and now Gaza. “The call comes without warning,” she says. “You hear the shout, we jump on our gear, hop into the Humvee, and arrive at the scene – sometimes during ongoing operations.” Despite the chaos, her first question to the wounded is always, “How are you?” (Yedioth Ahronoth.)
• The first female Chief Medical Officer of the IDF Commando Brigade: Major Dr. R. has served on every front, from Gaza to Lebanon. She narrowly survived a drone explosion and has treated countless wounded soldiers, including those from the elite Egoz unit. The emotional toll is immense. “We know how to care for everyone else. Caring for ourselves is the hardest. To keep functioning, I push the memories into a high drawer in my mind that I can’t reach. I just don’t open it.” (Yedioth Ahronoth.)
• The “Lioness” who became the first woman to lead an infantry battalion: On Oct. 7, Lt. Col. Or Ben Yehuda, a mother of three, led the Caracal Battalion from its post on the Egyptian border to the front lines of the fighting in the Gaza border region. “I was taught from a young age that the best defense is offense,” she says. “The fact that we moved forward instead of staying behind our lines gave us the upper hand. Hamas didn’t expect it – it caught them off guard.” For her leadership under fire, she was awarded a Southern Command Citation. (Yedioth Ahronoth.)
• Female combat troops guard the Israel-Egypt border: For soldiers like K, the decision to serve in a combat role was driven by a sense of patriotism and a desire to make a meaningful contribution. They emphasize the strong sense of unity and camaraderie in their unit. “Once you’re a combat soldier, the people you serve with become your family,” says K. “The gender issue doesn’t exist here. We all do the same missions together, regardless of whether we’re male or female. The only difference is where we sleep.” (Jerusalem Post.)
• Women soldiers who defended Zikim on Oct. 7 return as officers: On Oct. 7, a group of new recruits in the Rescue Brigade found themselves defending the Zikim base against waves of Hamas terrorists. With many of their commanders killed or wounded, these recruits stepped up to evacuate the wounded, take over defensive positions, and protect the base. “There was no crying, no moment of panic,” said A. “We immediately understood we had to help and fight.” Three of those women have recently completed officer training. A few weeks ago, they welcomed new recruits of the brigade – as officers. (Jerusalem Post.)

For more on the fascinating and inspiring story of the women of the IDF, watch the Times of Israel’s podcast, “The IDF’s Women Warriors.”