“Arad”: Why Has the Israeli Occupation Created an All-Female Force to Protect Its Air Bases?

The events of 7 October 2023 did more than expose the collapse of the border barrier surrounding the Gaza Strip. They also shattered the image of Israeli military bases, long promoted by Tel Aviv as secure rear-area facilities far removed from direct threats.

According to Israeli investigations, elite fighters from the Al Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, carried maps of several Israeli Air Force bases, including Hatzerim in the Negev and Tel Nof in central occupied Palestine. The plans reportedly included expanding the operation deeper into the occupation military’s infrastructure.

Out of these concerns emerged the “Arad” Unit, a new formation announced by the Israeli military in mid-May 2026. The force is part of the Israeli Air Force, composed entirely of female soldiers, and tasked with providing a rapid response to infiltration or assault scenarios targeting air bases and their surrounding areas.

This report examines what is currently known about the Arad Unit, why it was created, how it operates, and what it reveals about the transformation of Israeli air bases from supposedly secure rear installations into military facilities increasingly concerned about their own protection.

What Is the Arad Unit?

Arad is a newly established intervention unit within the Israeli Air Force and is widely viewed as evidence of the military’s ongoing manpower challenges, as it is the first formation of its kind composed entirely of female conscripts.

The unit operates under Wing 7, which oversees special units within the Air Force.

Its primary mission is to respond to infiltration attempts or resistance operations targeting fortified air force bases and to hold off attackers until reinforcements arrive.

According to the Israeli military website, approximately 100 female recruits joined the first training cycle.

The Hebrew outlet Mako reported that the soldiers will initially be divided into three operational teams, with the military planning to recruit two new intakes every year.

Despite the specialised nature of its training, the unit is not officially classified as a commando force like Shaldag. Instead, it is described as a specialised intervention force.

Why Was It Created Now?

The creation of Arad is directly linked to the occupation military’s failures during Operation Al Aqsa Flood.

Israeli investigations revealed that Hamas elite fighters had planned attacks against Air Force bases and were found carrying maps of Hatzerim and Tel Nof.

The findings highlighted that air bases were no longer beyond the reach of Palestinian resistance groups and that traditional security measures were insufficient to prevent infiltration attempts.

The development also coincided with internal Israeli warnings about growing security vulnerabilities around several military facilities in the Negev, particularly Nevatim Air Base.

What Is the Unit’s Core Mission?

The officially stated mission of the unit is to prevent the collapse of base security during major breaches and to serve as an initial defensive line in the event of a significant attack on an air force installation.

According to Israeli descriptions, the female soldiers would be deployed to isolate affected areas and engage resistance fighters in an attempt to delay the fall of a base until additional forces arrive.

Reports have also suggested that the unit could eventually be assigned to guard what are described as temporary operational zones due to concerns over ambushes and infiltration attempts.

How Are Arad Recruits Trained?

The Israeli military states that training lasts approximately one year and includes weapons training, urban warfare, and psychological preparation aimed at helping soldiers transition rapidly from routine conditions to responding to a surprise assault.

However, Hebrew media reports reveal signs of operational pressure and strain within the military.

The first training cycle was reportedly shortened to only eight months due to what was described as an urgent operational requirement and the broader manpower pressures facing the occupation military.

Training also includes navigation and combat in urban environments, although details regarding weapon systems and equipment remain undisclosed.

Why Is the Unit Entirely Female?

Amid growing avoidance of military service and the continued depletion of male personnel during the war on Gaza, the occupation military appears to have increasingly turned to female recruits to address manpower shortages.

Although the unit consists entirely of women, its command structure remains mixed.

It is led by an officer from the Shaldag Unit, while both male and female officers serve within its leadership framework.

The stated objective is to capitalise on higher female enlistment rates and build a force capable of filling security gaps exposed by the events of 7 October.

What Does the Name “Arad” Mean?

According to Israeli military sources, the name “Arad” refers to a type of alloy or metal said to have been used in what is described as the “first Hebrew shield”.

Through the name, the occupation military seeks to project an image that combines technology, intelligence capabilities, and defence readiness.

The branding appears intended to reassure the Israeli public that military installations whose vulnerabilities were exposed during Operation Al Aqsa Flood are now better protected.

What Is the Occupation Military Not Revealing?

Despite the information released so far, the Israeli military continues to withhold key details about the unit.

The final number of recruits, their deployment locations, and the weapons assigned to them remain undisclosed.

It has also not revealed whether the unit could eventually be deployed beyond the territories occupied in 1948 or whether its role will remain limited to defending air force bases from within their perimeters.

As a result, many questions remain unanswered regarding the future role of the Arad Unit and the extent to which it reflects broader concerns within the occupation military about the security of its strategic facilities.