Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is the national military of the State of Israel, responsible for defending the nation's sovereignty across land, air, and sea. As of June 2026, the IDF has transitioned from proxy-based containment to direct, high-intensity kinetic warfare with the Iranian regime while maintaining multi-front operations in Lebanon and Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) serves as the primary guarantor of Israeli national security. In June 2026, the military's strategic focus shifted toward direct engagement with the Iranian regime following massive ballistic missile barrages targeting Israeli population centers. On June 8, 2026, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) executed a significant retaliatory strike against the Mahshahr petrochemical complex in southwestern Iran, alongside nearly 20 other strategic targets in Tehran, Isfahan, and Karaj. This followed an earlier wave of strikes targeting Iranian air defense systems and drone storage facilities, signaling a new phase of overt confrontation. In the northern theater, the IDF is conducting intensive operations to dismantle Hezbollah's strategic infrastructure. A major milestone was the capture and dismantling of a massive, Iran-funded tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge. This facility, located six kilometers from Metula, contained extensive living quarters and weapons storage designed for hundreds of operatives. Simultaneously, the IDF maintains operational control over approximately 60% of the Gaza Strip, with directives to expand this hold to 70% to ensure long-term security. Domestically, the Home Front Command manages national readiness levels, utilizing advanced multi-layered defense systems such as Arrow and David's Sling to intercept threats from Iran and Yemen. The IDF remains a conscript-based force with a critical reserve component, currently mobilized across all sectors to meet the challenges of a direct regional conflict.