In Syria, Israel’s female field intelligence soldiers power the IDF's covert operations

The Jerusalem Post interviews female field intelligence soldiers from IDF Battalion 595 operating in Syria. The soldiers describe surveillance and penetration missions against Iranian operatives and other hostile groups, using drones and direct observation. Women now make up over 50% of the unit. Operations continue despite US pressure for Israel to scale back activities in Syria. The article highlights the soldiers' role in breaking the glass ceiling for women in combat roles while emphasizing their operational contributions.

The Jerusalem Post interviewed female field intelligence soldiers from IDF Battalion 595 on the Syrian border. The soldiers, identified as N., R., and Captain O., described their role in conducting surveillance and penetration operations inside Syria. They monitor increased Iranian activity and navigate tensions with local Syrian residents. Women now make up more than 50% of their unit. The soldiers use a combination of direct visual surveillance and drone-based intelligence collection. In late 2025, a different group of female soldiers penetrated as far as 18 kilometers beyond the buffer zone. By October 2026, the soldiers could no longer disclose how far they were penetrating, amid US pressure for Israel to scale back activities. The IDF recently killed Iranian-linked Syrian terrorist Yusef Ali al-Hasan on October 9. The article frames the soldiers' work as breaking the glass ceiling for women in combat roles while emphasizing their operational contributions.