From the silence of an undercover identity to a voice that leads toward healing: the story of the first female undercover combat soldier to come forward

Shir served in the Jerusalem Yamas, the Border Police's undercover unit, from 2002 to 2006. She was the first female undercover combat soldier in the IDF, operating under cover and in constant danger.

One evening, seeing the character Nurit in Fauda brought back memories of her past with overwhelming force. Since then, she has chosen to share her story through talks in Israel and around the world.

Shir founded the Sisterhood of Female Combat Soldiers, a group for women affected by combat trauma, to create a place of support and healing.

'Choosing to come forward after years of silence was the most frightening leap I have taken, but also the most liberating. I realized I was not alone, and that there were other women waiting for someone to tell them they deserve to heal.'

Photo: Shay Yehezkel