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will create a women-only to accommodate the needs of religious female soldiers who do not want to serve alongside men, Israeli media reported on Monday. 

The unit will be created this coming March and will be established within an existing mixed-gender border defence unit. 

It follows a request by religious school leaders, who say some of their students would like to do their military service but have concerns about being in close proximity with men.

is mandatory for all Israelis, with men serving for a period of three years and women for around two years. However, many exemptions are granted to those who present religious objections, including for conservative women who refuse to serve alongside men.

Instead of enlisting in the army, these women typically choose to carry out their service in a civilian vocation. The Israeli army hopes to expand numbers in the army by opening a female-only unit. Similar military units have already been established for religious men.

Debates around mandatory military service have intensified in Israel over the past decade. Ultra-orthodox youth, who benefit from a de facto exemption to conscription on religious grounds, represent a growing share of the population.

Conscription also faces a  from liberal Israeli youth who refuse to take part in the military occupation of Palestinian land. In September, two Israelis were jailed for refusing conscription.