IDF Solders In Jordan Valley. Photo: Wiki Commons.

History was made on Wednesday when the Israel Defense Forces appointed Major Oshrat Bacher as Israel’s first female combat battalion commander, Israeli daily Ma’ariv reports. Bacher, 35, has been assigned to the Eitam field intelligence battalion, which is attached to the army’s Southern Command.

Although it will take several more months until the historic promotion becomes an actuality on the ground, the IDF confirmed Bacher’s new assignment and she is expected to become the head of the intelligence battalion that is stationed on the Israel-Egyptian border, Ma’ariv said.

Bacher is a 17-year IDF veteran, having previously served as commander of Eagle Company, located in southern Israel, a unit whose scope of responsibilities include the Gaza Strip and Egypt. Bacher has also served as a special adviser on women’s issues to the Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.

Evidently, prominent military careers run in the family as Bacher’s husband Ohad is also an officer in the IDF, a major who serves in the Corps of Engineers. The Bachers currently live in Petach Tikvah with their child.

Ma’ariv reported that IDF officials who have been in contact with Oshrat Bacher since she received news of her promotion say that she is thrilled and is currently being flooded with congratulatory phone calls.

“Our approach is that nothing is difficult, and there is no difficulty that cannot be overcome,” Bacher once said in an interview with Israel’s Channel 2. Bacher also acknowledged those responsible for her amazing rise, saying that, “I could not have succeeded without the support of my parents. Without them and the help of my various commanders, I never would have thrived.”

Bachar will take command of the battalion this summer, after completing her studies at the IDF General Staff and Command College, Israeli daily Ha’aretz said.