The Israeli Navy oversees the formation of the IDF naval forces. The naval commander also defines the objectives of the navy: to protect the State of Israel from maritime threats, to give an alarm in the event of imminent conflict, and to fulfill specific missions during a conflict.

The need to create and develop a Jewish maritime force was formulated in January 1948. At that time, Jewish communities faced the threat of Arab countries. On March 17, 1948, an order was made to set up a naval branch under the command of Marine Captain Gershon Zak. His first recruits included sailors, fishermen, port workers, coastal residents, volunteers from the British Navy, etc.

The missions of the Israeli Navy are to:

Protect and defend the State of Israel from maritime threats
Secure the vital maritime operations of the State of Israel
Assist the rest of the Israeli army in case of conflict
Shoot enemy targets
Produce and evaluate photographs of maritime space
Transport equipment and soldiers
Perform search-and-rescue missions at sea
Train the naval forces of the IDF
Execute certain ground missions within the framework of the instructions of the army