Over the past few years, the field observers unit in the Israeli army has emerged as an essential part of military strategies in response to the increasing security challenges on the borders with Lebanon and Gaza. In this context, we highlight the experience of these brave women teams who closely monitored the movements of rival groups in the area, and how their timely warnings were ignored. This article reviews the role of these observers, the challenges they faced, and how their military community is grappling with a crisis of trust with a leadership that tends to downplay their importance. We navigate between their personal experiences and the strategic mistakes that led to painful events, in an attempt to understand the deeper context of the military reality in the region and what it may imply for the future.
The Security Situation on the Israeli Borders
The Israeli borders are considered strategic locations and reflect the ongoing tensions between Israel and its neighbors, as armed groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas continue to carry out operations close to these borders, making surveillance and security assessment of utmost importance. Over the past year, Israeli soldiers reported suspicious movements by Hamas elements, but things did not go as expected, as the warnings were ignored, leading to an escalation of the security situation, especially following the orchestrated attack on October 7. These events highlight the significant anxiety among Israeli forces, especially the “field observers,” who are members of a special unit that includes women, and who could have contributed effectively to enhancing security at the borders. Many girls talk about feeling neglected and ignored by military leaders, reflecting a deeper issue related to managing security threats.
The Role of the Women’s Unit in Monitoring
Historically, women in the Israeli army have served in monitoring units to perform reconnaissance and gather information. This unit, known as the “field observers,” was created to monitor activities of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah in border areas, making them the state’s eyes on these activities. However, members of this unit face numerous challenges concerning receiving attention and recognition for their unique capabilities. Although women have been an important part of military operations through monitoring, many of them face a lack of confidence from military leadership, resulting in their warnings not being taken seriously. Some even express disappointment due to the male-dominated nature of the military institution that does not perceive their contributions as pioneering.
Ignored Warnings and Intelligence
Many observers stated that the warnings they issued regarding the tense situations and looming threats went unheard, leading to a deterioration of conditions. The warnings issued before October 7 included monitoring suspicious movements, but leadership did not give them the necessary attention, which is considered the biggest intelligence failure in Israel’s history. This incident reflects the incompleteness of the reporting system from the ground up, resulting in a widening gap between the need for security and the ability to implement it. The relationship between women and military leadership is far from being anything but tense, reflecting an ingrained animosity that makes it difficult for women’s opinions to be taken seriously. Some observers expressed their profound sense of danger threatening their lives, as leadership does not take their warnings seriously.
Sexism in the Armed Forces
Gender discrimination in the Israeli army is a rooted problem that hampers the performance of women’s units. Many observers speak about a prevalent perception that women are incapable of making important decisions or providing accurate intelligence information as men do. The purpose of training women in military units is often superficial, making women feel that they are not part of the important details. Some argue that the Israeli army sees women as cheap labor despite their considerable analytical capabilities. Nonetheless, the impact of this on military and strategic performance is devastating, leading to lost opportunities and ignoring the exceptional capabilities possessed by the members of these units.
Challenges
In Psychological Warfare and Future Predictions
The experiences of field observers reflect larger challenges related to psychological and functional security. With the sluggish alert and warning system, observers appear to be at risk and feel unprotected. Some members of these units have been lost, making psychological anxiety an integral part of the military experience. This comes at a time when the need for precise and targeted military efforts is increasing, thus accurate information from these units plays a vital role in the conflict. Military leadership must reconsider how to handle warnings and alerts and ensure they are described accurately so that fatal errors do not repeat in the future. Additionally, achieving balance in gender representation and empowering women in these units can ensure a more effective response to security challenges. Ultimately, the capabilities of the observers should be recognized, allowing them to play their important role in enhancing security and protecting borders, to prevent incidents like those of October 7th from recurring. It will be important to consider how to improve organizational and psychological structures to support these dedicated and creative individuals.
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