IDF reports surge in female draftees joining combat units in latest intake

The IDF says it has recently seen a massive spike in women joining combat units, releasing data from the first week of the military’s March-April draft.

According to data from the IDF, the draft turnout for female troops in combat units was 157 percent, meaning 57% more than it had initially planned for. For comparison, during the same period last year, the turnout was 102%.

The IDF says that the Border Defense Corps’ light infantry units saw a 158% draft turnout, and the corps’ Combat Intelligence Collection units — where surveillance soldiers serve — saw a 210% turnout.

The Artillery Corps saw a 195% draft turnout; the Air Force’s air defense array saw 114%; the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue units saw 170%; and the Border Police saw 139%.

Similarly, among male conscripts, there has been a rise in soldiers drafting to combat units.

According to the data, the Combat Engineering Corps saw a 122% draft turnout, and the Artillery Corps saw 109%.

The IDF does not release the turnout data for the Armored Corps, but says it is a rise of 130% compared to March 2023’s draft.