For the first time since the Israeli military launched the ground offensive in Gaza on October 27, women soldiers have joined the combing and rescue operations in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

The female combat soldiers from the Shachar Battalion is a mixed-gender under the Home Front Command’s Search and Rescue Brigade joined the operation led by forces on the field.

The Commanding officer of the Battalion, Lt Col Yarden said: “The Shachar Battalion’s male and female soldiers will do everything to achieve victory and we are organised and prepared for that. Thats what we are trained for and thats what we will do.”