Raising Their Voices

This year, on International Women’s Day, Israel’s leading women’s organizations chose to commemorate the day at the Tatzpitaniyot Memorial, ensuring that their voices are heard and their memory honored.

This year, on International Women’s Day, Israel’s leading women’s organizations chose to commemorate the day at the Tatzpitaniyot Memorial, ensuring that their voices are heard and their memory honored.

The “Spotters” Known in Hebrew as “Tatzpitaniyot” – young women serving in the IDF—have carried out their duties under complex and challenging conditions, driven by a deep sense of mission and an understanding of their vital role. Yet, their voices were not heard. Their warnings, distress calls, and pleas went unanswered.

The Battle of Nahal Oz: A Heavy Price Paid by Female Field Observers

On the morning of October 7, at 6:23 AM, hundreds of Hamas terrorists launched an attack on the IDF base in Nahal Oz. In one of the deadliest battles of that day, around 60 soldiers lost their lives, including 15 unarmed female field observers who were stationed in the command center. Most of them perished in a fire while attempting to hide.

Seven observers were taken hostage. In the weeks that followed, the IDF successfully rescued one, Ori Megidish, and later retrieved the body of Noa Marciano, who was murdered in captivity. In the most recent hostage deal, the remaining five kidnapped observers were returned home.

Honoring Their Sacrifice

The courageous women of the field observation unit played a critical role in defending Israel’s borders. Their sacrifice is a painful reminder of the immense challenges and dangers they face in their service.

This event is a commitment to amplifying their voices, to acknowledging the times they were ignored, and promising a future where we listen, recognize, and better protect our daughters.

Israel’s leading women’s organizations have come together to express sorrow and regret for not safeguarding them as we should have, to acknowledge the pain of their families and friends, and to demand a society that upholds integrity, equality, and greater responsibility toward women’s voices.

WIZO’s Commitment

As part of this event, each organization has pledged its commitment to a different aspect of this issue. This is our commitment:

“As an international women’s organization, WIZO is committed to continuing to amplify the voices of the female lookouts (Tatzpitaniot) and every woman in Israel and around the world. Their memory will not be forgotten, their voices will not be silenced—they will live on through us.

From the lookout posts to the international stage, we will carry the voices of women forward—because their voices are our strength, our courage, and our future. Their voice is our voice!