IDF’s “Operational YouTube” to Broadcast the World Cup to Soldiers in Lebanon

Our fighters in Lebanon | Photo: IDF Spokesperson

For the first time, the IDF will use the classified operational video system Z-Tube to broadcast World Cup matches to fighters serving in Lebanon and other remote sectors. The system, which is normally used to transmit operational documentation in real time, will also make viewing possible in areas without cellular reception or an internet connection.

Z-Tube, which operates under the C4I and Cyber Defense Directorate, was originally developed for operational needs and enables real-time video streaming from a wide range of military platforms. Among other things, the system broadcasts footage from aircraft, drones, naval vessels, armored vehicles, and various observation systems, with minimal delay. In the IDF, the system is called the “operational YouTube” because of its ability to gather thousands of different video sources in one place. In addition to live broadcasts, it is also used to store and display large amounts of recorded material for debriefings, learning, and operational lessons.

The system was launched in 2017 and later expanded to all branches of the IDF. During the war in Gaza, Z-Tube became one of the main tools in command and control rooms, providing commanders with a real-time picture from multiple arenas simultaneously. Now, for the first time, the platform will also be used for soldiers’ welfare. The IDF has decided to use the system to broadcast World Cup matches, so that thousands of soldiers deployed in operational sectors can stay connected to the world’s biggest sporting event even during their service. The move is expected to make it possible to watch matches in outposts and areas where civilian communications infrastructure is unavailable, thereby bringing World Cup broadcasts to fighters even in complex field conditions.