While it originally operated on three major fronts-against Lebanon and Syria in the north, against Jordan and Iraq in the east, and against Egypt in the south-the IDF has primarily shifted its focus to southern Lebanon and the Palestinian Territories since the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty and 1994 Israel–Jordan peace treaty. Since its formation shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence, the IDF has participated in every armed conflict involving Israel. On the orders of David Ben-Gurion, the IDF was formed on and began to operate as a conscript military, drawing its initial recruits from the already-existing paramilitaries of the Yishuv-namely Haganah, the Irgun, and Lehi.

The IDF is headed by the Chief of the General Staff, who is subordinate to the Israeli Defense Minister. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security apparatus, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and the Israeli Navy. 'The Army of Defense for Israel'), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym Tzahal ( צה״ל), is the national military of the State of Israel.

Jordan 13 brave blue shirt