Bar-Giora, founded in September 1907, was later transformed into Hashomer in April 1909. Hashomer was an elitist organization aimed at protecting property against criminal gangs. It laid the groundwork for future paramilitary forces in the region.

HaMagen was established in 1917 as one of the Jewish paramilitary organizations in the New Yishuv. It played a role in the defense of Jewish communities in the region during that period.

In response to the 1920 Palestine riots, the Yishuv leadership established the Haganah in June 1920 as a nationwide underground defense organization. It later evolved into a full-scale defense force after the 1936–1939 Arab revolt in Palestine.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the Israeli Declaration of Independence and established the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as the country's official armed force. The IDF was formed by personnel from the Haganah and Palmach, along with immigrants from Europe, including Holocaust survivors and World War II veterans.

The IDF was established on May 26, 1948, under the orders of David Ben-Gurion. It was created as a conscript military, incorporating recruits from existing paramilitaries, and has been involved in all armed conflicts concerning Israel.

On May 28, 1948, the Provisional Government of the State of Israel issued Defence Army of Israel Ordinance No. 4, establishing the Israel Defense Forces under Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion. The IDF would consist of land forces, a navy, and an air force.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) was officially created on May 31, 1948, just two weeks after Israel's declaration of independence. It comprises the Israeli army, navy, and air force, and its guiding principles are shaped by the country's need to defend itself from its numerically superior neighbors.

On June 27, 1948, the general officers of the newly formed Israel Defense Forces were sworn in during a ceremony. This event marked an important milestone in the establishment of the IDF.

The Lehi resistance organization in the Jerusalem area continued to function as an armed fighting force until 17 September 1948, when it was dissolved following a government order issued after the assassination of the UN mediator Count Folke Bernadotte.

Following the Altalena incident, individual battalions of the IZL were disbanded on September 20, 1948, and their soldiers joined the IDF on an individual basis.

The process of integrating the companies and battalions of the Palmach into the IDF culminated in the Chief of Staff ordering the dissolution of the Palmach on October 29, 1948, which officially took effect on November 7.

On July 20, 1949, an armistice was signed with Syria, marking the end of the war. The IDF successfully repelled the Egyptians to the Gaza Strip while Jordan took control of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Unit 101 was established to enhance the morale and organization of the army and combat Palestinian infiltration. Led by Ariel Sharon, it carried out retaliatory strikes on Jordanian territory, including the notorious Qibya Massacre.

In 1954, the user was drafted as a second lieutenant in the Israel Defense Forces and later transferred to the Psychology branch. They participated in assessing candidates for officer training using methods developed by the British Army in World War II.

The 1956 Sinai Campaign, also known as the Suez Crisis, was a military conflict triggered by Egypt's nationalization of the Suez Canal. Israel, along with the UK and France, invaded the Egyptian Sinai peninsula to remove President Nasser and secure the canal.

In 1960, France assisted Israel in constructing the Negev Nuclear Research Center near Dimona, providing Israel with rifles, tanks, and jet fighters.

On June 5, 1967, the Israeli Air Force launched Operation Focus, a massive airstrike that destroyed the majority of the Egyptian air force on the ground, leading to the annihilation of the Egyptian, Jordanian, and Syrian air forces.

Leading up to the Yom Kippur War, the IDF engaged in the War of Attrition against Egypt in the Sinai and a border war against the PLO in Jordan, culminating in the Battle of Karameh.

The IDF conducted reprisal strikes on Egyptian and Syrian forces, inflicting heavy casualties after countering attacks meant to weaken IDF posts on the border.

Israeli elite SF unit conducted a successful hostage-rescue operation at Entebbe airport in Uganda, saving 80 Israeli passengers from PLO terrorists. The operation is considered one of the most successful covert operations.

In 1977, the Israeli Air Force received the first F-15 Eagle American warplanes, which later achieved their first kill by shooting down Syrian MiG fighters.

In response to terrorist attacks from the PLO in Lebanon, the IDF conducted Operation Litani in 1978, occupying part of Southern Lebanon.

Following the 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty and the 1994 Israel-Jordan peace treaty, the IDF underwent a significant strategic shift, focusing its efforts on southern Lebanon and the Palestinian territories.

In 1980, the Israeli Air Force received the F-16 Fighting Falcon, which also achieved its first aerial kill under the Israeli Air Force.

IDF successfully carried out a bombing mission in Iraq to destroy its nuclear reactor.

On June 6, 1982, Israeli forces invaded southern Lebanon in 'Operation Peace for the Galilee' following an assassination attempt, aiming to drive out PLO forces.

In 1983, the IDF allowed homosexuals to serve in the military, although they were initially banned from intelligence and top-secret positions. This decision marked a significant shift in the IDF's policy towards LGBTQ individuals.

The Hannibal Directive was introduced by the IDF in 1986 to prevent the capture of Israeli soldiers by enemy forces, particularly in response to previous abductions in Lebanon. The directive, shrouded in secrecy, allowed for extreme measures to be taken, including harming IDF soldiers to prevent their capture.

In 1987, a revolt erupted in the Palestinian territories, eventually leading to the Oslo Accords.

Since 1992, Azerbaijan and Israel have engaged in significant cooperation, particularly in the military field. Israel has been a major supplier of various weaponry to Azerbaijan, including battlefield aviation and anti-infantry equipment.

Professor Uzi Even, an IDF reserves officer, revealed in 1993 that he had faced discrimination due to his sexual orientation, leading to a political controversy. His testimony prompted the IDF to lift restrictions against gays in the military.

Alice Miller successfully petitioned the High Court of Justice to take the Israeli Air Force pilot training exams after being rejected on gender grounds, leading to a ruling that qualified women could not be excluded from pilot training.

The Tal Law, which exempts ultra-Orthodox Jews from military service in Israel, has sparked court cases and legislative controversy.

The Equality Amendment to the Military Service law in 2000 stated that the right of women to serve in any role in the IDF is equal to the right of men, marking a significant step towards gender equality in the Israeli military.

In 2005, the IDF withdrew from Gaza, impacting the security situation in the region and leading to continued conflicts with groups like Hamas.

Hezbollah's military wing staged a cross-border attack on two Israeli Humvees, resulting in the death of eight Israeli soldiers and the capture of two. This incident led to heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, culminating in a military offensive by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) into Lebanon.

Israeli troops conducted special operations within Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah outposts and aiming to diminish the group's missile capabilities. This operation marked a significant military engagement between Israel and Hezbollah during the conflict.

In April 2008, legislation was approved to reform the reserve service in the IDF, lowering the maximum service age for enlisted individuals to 40 and for officers to 45. The reform designated the reserve force as an emergency and security force, disallowing routine duties that could be performed by active forces.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved an additional NIS 1.5 billion for the defense budget to address issues related to Iran.

Around 2010, the IDF announced the introduction of new freeze-dried MREs like goulash, turkey schwarma, and meatballs as field rations, replacing staples like loof.

In June 2011, Maj. General Orna Barbivai made history by becoming the first female major general in the IDF, emphasizing the importance of equality within the organization.

The Pillar of Defense operation in 2012 was a military campaign by Israel against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The operation aimed to halt rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli territory, leading to a period of heightened tensions in the region.

In 2013, the IDF announced the historic decision to allow a (MTF) transgender woman to serve in the army as a female soldier, marking a progressive step towards inclusivity and diversity in the Israeli military.

The Protective Edge operation in 2014 was a major military offensive by Israel against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The operation resulted in significant casualties and destruction, drawing international attention to the conflict in the region.

In January 2015, a performance by three women IDF singers was disrupted by fifteen religious soldiers, who left in protest. The Master Sergeant then forced the women to end the performance due to it disturbing the religious soldiers.

A 2017 report by Human Rights Watch accused the IDF of various war crimes since the founding of Israel in 1948.

In 2020, 606 Muslim Arabs were drafted into the Israel Defense Forces, marking an increase from previous years. More than half of the draftees went into combat roles.

The Guardian of the Walls operation in 2021 involved intense fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The conflict led to widespread destruction and casualties, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region.

During a visit to the Northern Command, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi stated that the army was at a very high level of readiness as Hezbollah attacks from Lebanon escalated.

A US-led initiative to provide aid to Gaza via sea transportation is progressing amid significant challenges.

The US is constructing a pier off Gaza to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Israeli army instructs Palestinians to evacuate parts of Rafah in anticipation of an upcoming assault.

Israel forces block Gaza's Rafah border crossing, causing concerns about fuel shortage according to the UN.

Over half a million people flee fighting in Gaza as Israel marks Independence Day.