Unit 217 | |
---|---|
יחידה 217 | |
![]() Combat pin of Unit 217 | |
Active | 1986–present |
Country | ![]() |
Type | Mistaʽaravim |
Role | counter-terrorism |
Part of | 89th "Oz" Brigade |
Nickname(s) | Duvdevan (דובדבן) |
Motto(s) | כִּ֣י בְ֖תַחְבֻּלוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה־לְּךָ֣ מִלְחָמָ֑ה "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6) |
Colours |
Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan (Hebrew : דובדבן, lit. 'cherry'), is a mistaʽaravim unit in the Commando Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces.
It is notable for its undercover operations in urban areas, during which its operators often wear civilian clothing to disguise themselves among the local Arab populace. [1] The unit is also known to have highly trained members in both human and mechanical counter-surveillance. Unit 217 performs many high-risk and complicated operations, including targeted killings of militants and a range of other undercover operations in Arab regions, many of which are classified.[ citation needed ]
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Unit 217 [2] was established in June 1986 to deal with "security events" in the West Bank, especially in its densely populated civilian areas. During the 2015–2016 violence wave, the unit was involved in the arrests of the killers of Eitam and Naʽama Henkin, Hafna Meir, and rabbi Yaʽakov Littman (sometimes spelled Litman) and his son. For its work during this period, Unit 217 received the Israeli Chief of Staff citation. [3]
Roni Numa was a commander of the Duvdevan Unit before being promoted to aluf (major general). [4]
Upon joining the Commando Brigade, Unit 217 expanded its operational activities. [3]
The unit is part of the "Oz" 89th Commando Brigade (a brigade dedicated solely to special operations), but Duvdevan operators undergo basic training in the Paratroopers Brigade. Unit 217 is most similar to the Yamas unit of the Israel Border Police.
The Netflix television series Fauda focuses on a fictional Israeli elite unit modeled after Duvdevan. [5] The series was co-created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff; Raz formerly served in the unit. [5] [6]
Special forces units in the Israel Defense Forces encompass a broad definition of specialist units. Such units are usually a regiment or a battalion in strength.
A commando is a combatant, or operative of an elite light infantry or special operations force, specially trained for carrying out raids and operating in small teams behind enemy lines.
The Israel Border Police is the gendarmerie and border security branch of the Israel National Police. It is also commonly known by its Hebrew abbreviation Magav, meaning border guard; its members are colloquially known as magavnikim. "Border Guard" is often used as the official name of the Israel Border Police in English. While its main task is securing Israel's borders, it has also been deployed to assist the Israel Defense Forces, and for counter-terrorism and law enforcement operations in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in Jerusalem.
General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, more commonly known as Sayeret Matkal, is the special reconnaissance unit (sayeret) of Israel's General Staff (matkal). It is considered one of the premier special forces units of Israel.
Yamam, also known as National Counter-Terrorism Unit, is Israel's national counter-terrorism unit, one of four special units of the Israel Border Police. The Yamam is capable of both hostage-rescue operations and offensive take-over raids against terrorist targets in civilian areas. Besides military and counter-terrorism duties, it also performs tactical unit duties and undercover police work.
The IWI Tavor, previously designated as the Tavor TAR-21, is an Israeli bullpup assault rifle chambered in 5.56×45mm NATO, designed and produced by Israel Weapon Industries (IWI). It is part of the Tavor family of rifles, which have spawned many derivatives of the original design.
The 35th Paratroopers Brigade is an Israeli military airborne infantry brigade. It forms a major part of the Israeli Ground Forces' Infantry Corps, and has a history of carrying out special operations from the 1950s onwards. Soldiers of the brigade wear maroon berets with the Infantry Corps pin and russet boots.
The Israeli Combat Engineering Corps is part of the Israel Defense Forces with responsibility for mobility assurance, road breaching, defense and fortifications, counter-mobility of enemy forces, construction and destruction under fire, sabotage, explosives, bomb disposal, counter-weapons of mass destruction (NBC) and special engineering missions.
The Israeli Infantry Corps is a corps in the Israel Defense Forces. It is a maneuvering corps which primarily relies on infantry troops. It includes several regular and reserve service units and brigades which are operationally commanded by the IDF's regional commands.
The 98th "Ha-Esh" Paratroopers Division, is an airborne division of the Israel Defense Forces. It is subordinate to Central Command. On the 1st of October 2024 it took part in a ground operation in Lebanon.
Mista‘arvim, also spelled mista‘aravim, is the name given to certain units in the Israel Defense Forces, Israel Border Police, and Israel Police that assimilate into local Arab populations to operate undercover while gathering intelligence or conducting law enforcement, hostage rescue, and counter-terrorism operations.
Shayetet 13 is a unit of the Israeli Navy and one of the primary reconnaissance units of the Israel Defense Forces. Shayetet 13 specializes in sea-to-land incursions, counter-terrorism, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and boarding. The unit is trained for sea, air and land actions. The unit has taken part in almost all of Israel's major wars, as well as other actions.
Unit 5101, more commonly known as Shaldag, is one of the premier Israeli Air Force (IAF) Sayeret units. The unit is part of the 7th Special Air Forces Wing and is based in the Palmachim Airbase. The unit is led by an officer at the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Aaron Cohen is an American-Canadian actor, ex-Israeli special forces agent, and counterterrorism analyst best known for his on-camera appearances on various major news cable programs.
Maglan is a sayeret (reconnaissance) unit of the Israeli Defense Forces, which specializes in operating behind enemy lines and deep in enemy territory using advanced technologies and weaponry. Maglan is part of the IDF's Commando Brigade, each commando unit goes through basic training with an infantry brigade, Maglan operators join the Paratroopers Brigade for basic training, and then go through an additional in-unit bootcamp and advanced training.
The 89th Brigade "Oz" is a special operation forces brigade of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). It was established in December 2015. The new brigade, dubbed the Commando Brigade, is composed solely of infantry special-operations units removed from their previous chain of command structures to create a new tactical formation. Commanded by Aluf Mishne (Colonel) Omer Cohen, the brigade operates as part of the 98th Division.
Lior Raz is an Israeli actor and screenwriter. He portrays Doron Kabilio in the political thriller television series Fauda and Segev Azulai in Hit & Run.
The Israeli Ground Forces are the ground forces of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The commander is the General Officer Commanding with the rank of major general, the Mazi, subordinate to the Chief of General Staff.
Force 100 is a counterterrorism unit within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Its primary mission is to manage and control extreme situations in military prisons where terrorists are detained. The unit's name is derived from the word "force," symbolizing a combat team, and the number 100, which is associated with the police, reflecting the unit's professional subordination to the Israeli Military Police Corps.