The IDF is changing the training for women intending to draft as field observers following the October 7 massacre, in which 15 observers were killed and 7 were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists. The new guidelines include giving the observers a personal weapon in addition to the M-16 rifle, as well as training in Krav Maga and self-defense. The female observers will also be trained to identify threats in the specific arenas they will be deployed to, and will be allowed to give their professional opinion on the identified threat and level of menace.