The famous Israeli series Fauda returns with season 5 with a bang. The show, known for its intense standard tactical missions, now shifts its attention to grief and the consequences of revenge, specifically the trauma and heavy aftershocks of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Taking an emotional route while retaining the gritty action and high-stakes espionage fans expect, the series hooks viewers until the end.

The 11-episode season is set two years after the October 7, 2023 attacks, with a couple of episodes taking viewers back in time to experience that horrible day through the characters’ eyes.

The story follows retired operative Doron Kavillio (Lior Raz), who is struggling with PTSD, and is pulled into a dangerous undercover operation launched by his old friends Salem (Bian Anteer) and Eli (Yaakov Zada-Daniel), who lost their loved ones in the attack.

Direction, Craft And More

The makers balance season 5’s emotional, intense tone with the franchise’s original high-octane action and mission narrative. The atmosphere is grim, exhausting, and deeply psychological as the members of the unit are scattered and broken by the trauma, with Doron in therapy and Eli now orthodox and living in a religious settlement after losing his family. Steve works in London, while Sagi and Nurit are in Australia.

The new season takes viewers into the emotional side of the story, exploring revenge, grief, and the psychological cost of endless conflict, giving the characters emotional depth. The action scenes remain the highlight, while the storytelling maintains tension across episodes. Though some familiar elements may feel repetitive, the emotional weight and strong performances make Season 5 compelling.

Performances

Lior Raz convincingly brings out a different side of his character. Yaakov Zada-Daniel as Eli is powerful and deeply affected by the attack’s trauma, which connects with viewers. Other actors, including Doron Ben David, as well as newcomers Melanie Laurent and Hakim Djaziri, contribute effectively to the storyline, making it feel personal and engaging.

Created by Raz and Avi Issacharoff, Fauda in the earlier seasons focused on high-octane, close-quarters gunfights and adrenaline. But Season 5 leans heavily on the Arabic concept of Tha’r (blood revenge), asking if endless bloodshed is truly worth the cost. Overall, it is an engaging, powerful, and worthwhile return to the chaos of Fauda.

Our Editorial Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars