## Overview The **Israel Defense Forces (IDF)** is the national military organization of Israel, responsible for the country’s defense across its land, air, and sea domains[5][9]. Established in the wake of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, the IDF is renowned as one of the world’s most technologically advanced, battle-tested, and adaptable armed forces[6][7]. Its operations span conventional warfare, counterterrorism, intelligence, and cybersecurity, reflecting Israel’s complex security environment and its emphasis on rapid mobilization and preemptive defense[5]. ## History and Formation The IDF was officially created on May 26, 1948, just two weeks after Israel’s declaration of independence, by order of Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion[1][5]. It unified several pre-state Jewish paramilitary groups—notably the Haganah, Irgun (Etzel), and Lehi—into a single national army[1][2][6]. This unification was not without conflict, as evidenced by the Altalena Affair, a violent confrontation between the IDF and Irgun over arms shipments, which ultimately cemented the IDF’s monopoly on force[1][4]. The IDF’s initial ranks included veterans of World War II, Holocaust survivors, and local recruits, forging a diverse and determined core[2][3]. ## Key Achievements The IDF’s most significant early achievement was its victory in the 1948 War of Independence, repelling invasions by multiple Arab armies despite being outnumbered and under-equipped[3][6]. The war established Israel’s territorial integrity and set the stage for the IDF’s doctrine of proactive defense and rapid mobilization[5]. Over the decades, the IDF has played pivotal roles in conflicts such as the Six-Day War (1967), Yom Kippur War (1973), and numerous counterterrorism operations. ## Current Status Today, the IDF is a technologically