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Hamas is said to have more than 100 civilians under its control. They were brutally kidnapped and would serve as human shields for the militias. According to the militia, the hostages were housed in tunnels, residential buildings and military facilities.
According to The Telegraph, the Israeli army’s Sayeret Matkal special unit now wants to free the kidnapped people. The unit feels ready to be called up for ‘risky and dangerous missions’, it is said. According to experts, the Sayeret Matkal is called in because of his expertise. Aaron Cohen, an expert on Israeli special forces, relies on information from domestic and foreign spy agencies: “Israel has recently perfected hostage rescue,” he tells “The Telegraph.”
Extreme training, high entry hurdles
According to the British newspaper, Sayeret Matkal is structured similarly to the British Army’s SAS (Special Air Service), the oldest special forces unit in the world. She specializes in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. The entry barriers are extremely high – the training is considered very tough.
They include paratrooper training, light weapons training, hostage rescue tactics, and knowledge of survival behind enemy lines. The culmination of the training is a simulated captivity in which recruits are held, abused and interrogated to prepare them for the worst.
Sayeret Matkal was founded in 1957 and has participated in every major conflict involving Israel since then. The organization is best known for its role in the attack on Entebbe airport in Uganda in 1976. At that time, commandos rescued a hundred Israelis from Palestinian kidnappers.
“Such missions are extremely dangerous”
The question is whether a similar mission will end as lightly this time: Hamas is said to be detaining at least a hundred Israelis and foreigners in various locations in the Gaza Strip. Firstly, sufficient information about their whereabouts should be collected. The special forces must then be sent to the appropriate locations to rescue the hostages.
Furthermore, the enclave is said to be littered with various traps; an unreported number of militia fighters are also on standby. Cohen adds: “Such missions are extremely dangerous.” Because: Hamas has already threatened to have the hostages executed in response to Israeli attacks. So with every Israeli rescue operation there is a risk that they will die.
According to Avner Avraham, a former Israeli officer, the large number of hostages could also represent a glimmer of hope. “When you have 100 to 130 hostages, it’s not easy to hide them. I believe we will find information about their locations.” Yet it is clear: “It will take time and unfortunately we will lose people.”
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
