IDF Deploys First-Ever Female Tank Crews to Gaza Border

An IDF Merkava tank in the Gaza Strip, Nov. 5, 2023. (IDF) (IDF)

These soldiers are expected to maintain their positions in the southern Gaza Strip for the foreseeable future.

By Lilach Shoval, JNS

The Israel Defense Force has for the first time deployed all-female tank crews near the Gaza Strip, according to Israel Hayom.

Two female-operated tank platoons are currently guarding the Gaza border area, instead of their usual posts along the Egyptian border.

The only previous instance of such a deployment occurred on Oct. 7, when female tank crews were scrambled to assist in repelling the devastating surprise attack by Hamas terrorists.

These soldiers are expected to maintain their positions in the southern Gaza Strip for the foreseeable future.

Noa Mankin, the commander of the armored company, part of the Caracal mixed-gender light infantry battalion, expressed confidence in her unit’s capabilities.

“Our company will continue to execute any assigned task with the utmost proficiency. We play a crucial role in the combat forces defending Israel, and we will continue to do so,” she said.

“We take pride in our service and remain committed to giving our all, whether in routine operations or emergencies, wherever we’re needed,” she said.

Simultaneously, the IDF confirmed the continuation of trials aimed at the integration of women into combat roles within Yahalom, the Combat Engineering Corps’ special operations unit, the General Staff Reconnaissance unit, and airborne rescue unit 669.

Trials for the integration of women in infantry roles is also set to proceed as scheduled, despite the ongoing war.

Addressing the potential expansion of combat roles for women, the IDF acknowledged the courageous participation of female soldiers in various capacities during combat on Oct. 7 and throughout the subsequent war.

However, the military emphasized that trials are ongoing, stating, “We are not yet in a position to draw professional, responsible and well-founded conclusions necessary for decisions regarding the placement of women in additional combat roles.”