Soldiers enter a computer-lined room, strap on headsets, and suddenly find themselves inside a damp, narrow tunnel.

By Hezy Laing

The IDF has embraced virtual reality (VR) as a transformative tool for training soldiers, especially in the context of tunnel warfare, which has become a central challenge in conflicts with Hamas and Hezbollah.

Using advanced VR headsets like Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, Israeli soldiers now train in immersive simulations that replicate the claustrophobic, dangerous conditions of underground combat.

These virtual environments are modeled on real tunnels discovered under the borders with Gaza and Lebanon, allowing soldiers to practice navigation, threat detection, and tactical movement without the physical risks of live training.

One standout example is the training of Yahalom, the IDF’s elite combat engineering unit.

Soldiers enter a computer-lined room, strap on headsets, and find themselves virtually inside a damp, narrow tunnel.

They can see every detail—walls, water droplets, even the sense of humidity.

Instructors guide them in real time, helping them learn how to respond to ambushes, locate explosives, and maneuver in tight spaces.

This technology has dramatically cut training time and expanded operational readiness, allowing soldiers to rehearse scenarios that would be too dangerous or logistically complex to simulate physically.

The IDF hopes to scale the program so that entire squads can train together in coordinated virtual missions