Fauda (, from fawḍā, meaning "chaos" or "mess") is an Israeli television series developed by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff drawing on their experiences in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It tells the story of Doron, a commander in the Mista'arvim unit and his team; in the first season, they pursue a Hamas arch-terrorist known as "The Panther". Internationally, the series is streamed by Netflix.
The first season was filmed in Kafr Qasim during the 2014 Gaza War, and premiered on 15 February 2015. The second season premiered on 31 December 2017. The third season takes place in the Gaza Strip and aired in 2019 and 2020. A fourth season aired in early 2023 and it expands the Fauda world to Brussels, Syria, and Lebanon. Season 5 was filmed in 2025 and was released on 18 May 2026. In October 2025 Israel's Channel 12 reported the series would be made into a cinema film but neither Raz nor Issacharoff confirmed this. In September 2026 Issacharoff said a film was "in the works".
Synopsis The first season focuses on Doron, a former Mista'arev (special Israeli soldiers trained to operate undercover as Arabs for intelligence-gathering operations), who learns that Taufiq Hammed ("Abu Ahmad") former Hamas terrorist whom he and his unit were credited for killing, is still alive and plotting a terror attack. Doron rejoins his former unit to hunt down and eliminate Hammed, setting the stage for a chaotic chain of events. The last episode of the first season ends with Taufiq's sidekick Walid killing his mentor.
In the second season, Doron leaves his unit, separates from his wife and moves back with his father. Following the events of the first season, Walid has become "the head of the military wing of Hamas in the West Bank". The main antagonist in the second season is Nidal Awadallah (also known as "Abu Seif al-Maqdisi"), the son of the Sheikh who was killed in the first season, and an operative in the Islamic State organization who has returned from Syria and wants to take revenge on Doron for killing his father. Adopting the Mista'arvim's tactics, Nidal's ISIS operatives pose as Israeli personnel. In this season, the fight is more personal, between Doron and Nidal, and focuses a lot on their attempts to hurt each other's family.
The third season is set six months after the events of the second season. Doron has resumed his undercover work as Abu Fadi, a boxing instructor who is training Bashar, a young aspiring Palestinian boxer in Hebron. Bashar is the son of Jihad Hamdan, who had been imprisoned for the past 20 years for his involvement with a Palestinian terrorist cell. Following Jihad's release in prison, Doron and Bashar are caught up in a plot involving Bashar's cousin Fauzi smuggling weapons to Hamas in the Gaza Strip. In the process, Doron's cover is blown. Bashar is forced to prove his loyalty to his militant cousin and father. After the Hamdans kidnap two Israeli hikers, Doron and his comrades are forced to embark on a rescue mission behind enemy territory.
In the fourth season, Doron is retired and estranged from his Mista'arvim team. Doron reluctantly accompanies Shin Bet agent Gabi Ayub on a mission to Brussels to meet a source named Omar. However, this is a trap since Omar is a double agent working for Hezbollah and kidnaps Gabi. Taking the kidnapping of Gabi personally, Doron rejoins his squad as they pursue Hezbollah operatives. The rescue mission coincides with a Hezbollah plot to launch a missile attack against Israel.
The fifth season is set two years after the events of the October 7 attacks. Eli (Yaakov Zada-Daniel) and a Bedouin tracker named Salem (Bian Anteer) travel to Marseille to capture a Hamas operative who killed their relatives during the October 7 attacks. Doron and Steven (Doron Ben-David) are sent by their superiors to stop the rogue agents but are drawn into a struggle against the "system they were once part of." Eli and Doron infiltrate a local Hamas cell in Marseille, who are plotting to launch a major attack on Israel timed to coincide with Israeli Independence Day and Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day).
Cast and characters
Main Doron Kabilio portrayed by Lior Raz. Doron is married to Gali, and has a son, Ido, and a daughter, Noga. Doron, after leaving the army, lives on a farm and grows grapes in order to make his own wine. Having been previously credited with killing Abu Ahmad, he rejoins his old Israel Defense Force (IDF) unit 18 months later, after intelligence discovered that Abu Ahmad was still alive. Taufiq Hammed portrayed by Hisham Sulliman. Taufiq is commonly referred to as Abu Ahmad, and is nicknamed "The Panther". He is married to Nassrin and had a son (Ahmad) and a daughter (Abir). Taufiq had been trained by Ali Karmi, since he was a kid, and considers him a father; however, he ordered Ali to be killed when Ali turned his back on him and gave information over to Israel in exchange for surgery for his daughter. Walid Al Abed portrayed by Shadi Mar'i. As of season 1, Walid is 20 years old. He is a trusted member of Taufiq's team, and one of the few who knows the truth about him being alive after his funeral. Taufiq views Walid like a son to him, and eventually Taufiq wants Walid to replace him. However, Walid eventually winds up killing Taufiq, shooting him in the head from behind. After shooting him, Walid cries and kisses Taufiq. Dr. Shirin Al Abed portrayed by Laëtitia Eïdo. Shirin is 32 years old as of season 1, and a cousin of Walid. Her mother is from Nablus, her father is from Paris. She volunteered with Doctors Without Borders in 2006. She studied medicine at An-Najah National University, and works in the emergency room of Rafidia Surgery Hospital. She is a widow who was originally married at age 23 to a chemist, named Naji, who died four years later from multiple sclerosis. She spent more of her life in Paris than in Israel, and left Paris after Naji died to be closer to her mother. Captain Gabi Ayub portrayed by Itzik Cohen. He has been divorced twice, and lives by himself. He has five kids, with the youngest son being named Nadav, and has another son named Yiftah. Gabi's favorite time of the year is when his family goes to the desert on vacation and he has no mode of communication with those who are not with him. He develops a respectful and affectionate relationship with Abu Maher, the head of Palestinian Preventive Security. Mickey Moreno portrayed by Yuval Segal, commander of Doron's former unit, who pulled him back in. He is romantically involved with Nurit. Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno met with Gideon Avital in order to tell him his future plans for the unit, only to be told he was being let go, with the unit being disbanded. Moreno ultimately blackmails Avital into giving him his unit back, lest he will reveal to the press that the two of them had shot five prisoners in the head in Gaza years ago. Gali Kabilio portrayed by Netta Garti. Gali is Doron's wife, and Boaz's older sister. She is very unhappy with their life and wishes she could move outside of Israel. Gali is having an affair with a member of Doron's unit, Naor, and says she is no longer in love with Doron. Her son eventually finds out about the affair while listening in on their phone conversation, and later sees them kissing on the couch from upstairs. Ido eventually pulls Naor's gun on him stating that his father is not there because of him. Gali later tells Doron that he stopped fighting for her years ago, and she was afraid of him. Nassrin Hamed portrayed by Hanan Hillo. Nassrin is the wife of Taufiq, and her mother is Hafida. Nassrin grew up in Germany. Boaz portrayed by Tomer Kapon. Boaz is fluent in Arabic, and is a member of Doron's unit. As a cover he states he works with Arabs in the Ministry of Defense. He is Gali's younger brother. Boaz is murdered by Taufiq as revenge for shooting Bash. Naor portrayed by Tzachi Halevy. Naor is a member of Doron's unit. He has been having an affair with Doron's wife for over a year. When Gali mentions she is ready to leave Doron for him, he tells her to wait, because the situation is complicated with Doron back in the unit. Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno intended to make Naor team leader, before Moreno was also told the unit would be disbanded. Nurit portrayed by Rona-Lee Shimon, is the sole female member of Doron's unit. She is romantically involved with Moreno. She is dour and rarely smiles. Initially a staff member, she becomes an active member of the team, acting undercover. Avihai portrayed by Boaz Konforty. A member of Doron's unit, he has a wife and one son (Guy). Avihai considers himself to be an attack dog, always be ready to jump right into action without emotion. Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno informed Avihai that he was being discharged, before Moreno was also told the unit would be disbanded. Steve Pinto portrayed by Doron Ben-David, is a member of Doron's unit. Although he goes by Steve, his birth name is Hertzel. Steve has a crush on Nurit, and attempts to kiss her while staking out Abir. Following the issues which followed Boaz's capture, Moreno informed Steve that he was being discharged, before Moreno was told the unit would be disbanded. Steve later brings Doron to Boaz's grave, where he cries while reciting Kaddish. Abu Maher, portrayed by Qader Harini, is the head of the Palestinian Preventive Security. Abu Maher is reconciled to peace and coexistence, and therefore willing to cooperate with the Israelis to combat Islamist terror. Ayub and Abu Maher share intelligence to figure out how to best their common foe, be it Hamas or ISIS.
Later season additions Sagi Tzur, portrayed by Idan Amedi, joins the unit in Season 2. Through early clashes with Doron, Sagi is shown as being brash and hot-headed. He becomes romantically involved with Nurit, eventually marrying her in Season 4. Amedi announced he would be leaving the shown in Feb 2025 due to an injury sustained while on duty in Gaza. Bashar Hamdan, portrayed by Ala Dakka in Season 3, a young aspiring Palestinian boxer in Hebron. Bashar is the son of Jihad Hamdan, who had been imprisoned for the past 20 years for his involvement with a Palestinian terrorist cell. Under the Arab alias "Abu Fadi", Doron trains Bashar to embed himself in the Hamas terror network. Maya Binyamin, portrayed by Lucy Ayoub is a main character in Season 4. She is a decorated officer in the Israeli police. As an Israeli Arab married to a Jew and the sister of Lebanese source, Omar, Maya struggles with loyalties divided between her country, her identity, her brother, and husband. Shani Russo, portrayed by Inbar Lavi is added to the unit partway through Season 4 as a replacement for Nurit while Nurit takes medical leave. Little backstory is given about Russo besides her preference for solitary missions and a brief conversation with Doron indicating that they had served together many years prior.
Recurring Ido Kabilio portrayed by Mel Malka, son of Doron and Gali. Ido, eventually finds out about the affair his mother is having with Naor, while listening in on a phone conversation, and later sees them kissing on the couch from upstairs. Ido eventually pulls Naor's gun on him stating that his father is not there because of him. After Doron stops him, Ido states that he should have killed him. Jihan Hamed portrayed by Khawlah Hag-Debsy Sheikh Awadalla portrayed by Salim Dau, is a spiritual leader and a close and trusted friend of Taufiq. When Taufiq wants to exchange Boaz for Hamas members imprisoned by Israel, Sheikh is the man he wants to run negotiations with Egypt. After Taufiq gives the order to detonate the bomb inside Boaz, Doron orders the bomb vest strapped to Sheikh to be detonated as well, killing him. Gideon Avital portrayed by Uri Gavriel, is the Minister of Defense. While in Gaza with Moreno, years prior to entering politics, they shot five prisoners in the head.