IDF says 30 female pilots and navigators have taken part in the strikes on Iran

Live Update From the Liveblog of Monday, March 2, 2026. By Emanuel Fabian, 4:09 pm

A female Israeli Air Force pilot is seen ahead of strikes in Iran, in a photo issued by the military on March 2, 2026. (Israel Defense Forces)

Some 30 female Israeli Air Force pilots and navigators have participated in the strikes on Iran, according to the military.

“We prepared for this operation for a long time, hours of training and briefings. The moment we take off, everything comes down to one thing: to defend our home. That is the mission, and that is also the sense of responsibility that accompanies me every second in the air,” says Maj. “Shin,” an IAF combat navigator, in remarks published by the military.

The IDF’s statement comes amid recent calls by religious activists and leading rabbis against the military’s plans to integrate women into more combat roles.

1 comment