Jerusalem, 4 February, 2026 (TPS-IL) — The Israel Defense Forces said it will establish a new all-female combat company next month.
The unit will be formed within the 869th Combat Intelligence Collection Unit and deployed along Israel’s northern border with Lebanon. The unit operates under the IDF’s 91st “Galilee” Regional Division and is tasked with intelligence gathering and frontline security against Hezbollah.
According to the IDF, the new company is part of broader organizational and technological upgrades aimed at improving operational readiness. Over the past year, the 869th unit has carried out drone strikes that killed around 60 Hezbollah operatives and destroyed weapons depots and other infrastructure.
The IDF says the expansion of women in combat roles reflects operational needs, noting that the number of female combat soldiers has more than doubled since 2020, reaching about 8,500 in 2025.