From 1996, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) operated five AS-565MA Panthers, locally known as Atalef. The helicopters were part of 193 "Defenders of the West" Squadron and also operated from Israeli navy corvettes. The IDF has recently replaced these helicopters with modified former US Navy Sikorsky SH-60F Seahawks, retiring the last remaining Atalefs on 31 August 2025.

The Israel Navy operated two former US Coast Guard HH-65A Dolphins between 1985 and 1997 (one crashed in September of 1996). As from 1996, five AS-565MA Panthers, locally known as Atalef, were introduced to the Israel Navy. The aircraft are operated by the IAF's 193 Squadron based at Ramat David and of course on various frigattes. Unfortunately, 895 - which is the last of the five delivered - crashed on January 3, 2022, killing two of the three crew on board. Note the missing cabin door on the LH fuselage, as sonar and other electronic equipment is located behind it.

This Atalef crashed off the coast Bat Galim beach, south of Haifa, following a technical failure during a training exercise. Two of three crew were sadly killed in the crash.