The Mauser K98 7.92 mm rifle arrived to Israel during  Israel's War Of Independence in 1948. Some of the rifles were original German made by Mauser, but most were Czechoslovakian replicas. Several of the rifles were fitted with Wild X4 scopes and were utilized as sniper rifles, but most of them were employed as regular assault rifles. Only in the mid 1950's, with the mass entrance of Israel Military Industries (IMI) Uzi Sub Machine Guns (SMG) and FN FAL assault rifles to the IDF, all the K98 were converted to sniper configuration and were the standard IDF's long range infantry style sniping rifle up until the late 1970's when they were replace in this role by the newly arrived M14 SWS.

Mauser K98 fitted with Wild X4 scope.

Sniper from the Golany infantry bridge with Mauser K98 during Israel's war of independence in 1948.

The American made M14 SWS arrived to Israel in the American airborne aid, that took place during the Yom Kippur War (a.k.a. the October War) in 1973. The weapon undergone heavy modification in the Israeli Military Industries (IMI) and since the late 1970's was the standard Israeli long range infantry style sniping SWS in the IDF, replacing in this role the  Mauser K98 sniper rifle until in turn replaced by the M24 SWS in 1997.

Two variants of the Israeli modified M14 SWS with different stocks and optics. On the left with Litton PVS2 Night Vision Device (NVD) and on the right with El-Op Nimrod 6X40 day optic. The left rifle has the older stock later replaced by the stock found on the rifle on the right.

Sniper with M14 SWS and binoculars provide fire support during the Israeli invasion to Lebanon (Operation Peace Of The Galilee) in 1982. Note that the M14 SWS in the photo has the older stock also seen in the photo above on the left.

Sniper from the Golany infantry bridge with M14 SWS.

Located in the middle of the Ben Shemen forest, the Mitkan Adam Army base has some of the most beautiful training areas In Israel, especially during the wintertime, when its surroundings being in green color. In this photo, taken in the 80's, snipers with M14 SWS train in the "Heaven" (Gan Eden in Hebrew) fire range, found Just a hope a way from the Mitkan Adam base. The snipers in the photo are located on a tip of a hill, engaging metal plates targets found bellow them in the valley, and on the hill directly in front of them. Note: operators' faces were blacken to protect the soldiers' identity.

The American made M24 SWS entered service in the IDF in 1997, replacing the Israeli modified M14 SWS in the role of the standard long range infantry style sniping SWS.

Sniper with M24 SWS and camouflage suit, that become standard issue to snipers in the IDF in the late 1990's.

Member of the Golany infantry brigade with M24 SWS.

Two snipers with M24 SWS, seeking potential hostiles in the occupied territories after the failure of the Israeli-Palestinian peace talks held in Camp David, July 2000.

Mauser SP66 SWS

The German made 86SR SWS entered service in the Israeli Special Forces in 1996 and is standard SWS for short range sniping, used in Counter Terrorism and Hostage Rescue scenarios. The 86SR SWS replaced in this role the Mauser 66SP SWS that was in service from the early 1980's.

IDF sniper with Mauser 86SR SWS seeking potential hostiles in a Palestinian riot, during the Israeli-Palestinian clashes in 1996. Note rare Israeli black vest. This is probably the only publicly published photo of an Israeli sniper using a German made SWS, not so much for the rare of the weapon but because the Israeli government is not too eager to show its troops using German equipment due to the sensitivity in this matter in the Israeli (Jewish) public (because of the holocaust).