Netanyahu Visits Haredi Soldiers in Lebanon Amid Controversy Over Female Troops' Exclusion

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Haredi soldiers in Lebanon on July 1, 2026, during a meeting with troops from the Heshmonaim Brigade. During the visit, female artillery soldiers were instructed to remain in a separate room and were not allowed to enter the area where Netanyahu met with the Haredi soldiers. The Haredi soldiers were assured they would not see any female soldiers during the meeting. The female soldiers, part of the artillery battalion, were told to stay away from the location where the Prime Minister was present.

The visit included soldiers from various units operating in Lebanon, and Netanyahu also met with two female soldiers during his trip. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson stated that the gathering was not properly planned considering the conditions at the battalion headquarters in enemy territory and confirmed that the incident would be investigated. This event raised concerns about gender segregation during military operations and the planning of official visits in sensitive areas.

The IDF emphasized that the visit was intended to boost morale among the troops but acknowledged the need to review the arrangements to prevent similar issues in the future. The investigation will focus on the coordination and execution of the visit under the operational constraints in Lebanon.