The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) ( Hebrew : ` '' '' ' '' -RCB- -RCB- ' , `` Army ( or Force , literally `` Host '' ) for the Defense of Israel '' , known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym '' '' , Tzahal ) , is the name of Israel 's military forces , and the Israeli Army , Air Force and Sea Corps . The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF ) ( , , lit . Defensive Army for Israel , ) , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel .