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Despite an overwhelmingly popular UN resolution calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East, Israel’s ground offensive is in full swing. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (74) made their goal clear: “To destroy Hamas.”
Through X he dedicated a very personal message to the group: “You are monsters. We’ll keep chasing you, we’ll keep hunting you. We will paralyze you until you fall at our feet.” Numerous Israeli special forces are likely to be deployed for this purpose.
Yahalom unit
The Yahalom unit has the highest technical authority within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and a wide range of tasks. These include technical missions, precision detonations, the prevention of enemy infrastructure, the production of bombs and special explosives – and the “deactivation of enemy tunnels”. The unit also has a development department. She researches, builds and improves bombs, combat and infantry methods.
In 2016, the Israeli military wrote that the entire unit deals with “tunnel threats”: “While combat soldiers in most units are trained in basic tunnel warfare, Yahalom specializes in detecting, clearing and destroying terror tunnels.” Israel will likely use these capabilities to combat the Hamas tunnels.
The training to become a Yahalom soldier lasts 16 months and is very selective. It includes combat technology, explosives, field combat, survival and navigation training. The program also includes anti-terrorist training, parachuting and climbing.
The elite unit appears to be already in action. On October 24, Netanyahu posted a photo of himself and the soldiers. During the meeting, he was said to have been briefed on the unit’s “activities since the beginning of the fighting and on its future operational readiness.”
Sayeret Matkal
The elite intelligence unit Sayeret Matkal was founded in 1957 and is mainly used to obtain information gathered through ‘deep reconnaissance in enemy areas’.
At the same time, rescuing hostages is one of the central tasks. In 1976, the unit at Entebbe Airport in Uganda managed to free 100 Israelis from Palestinian captors. The Israeli army could use the unit again to free the approximately 240 Hamas hostages.
The training is selective and includes training as a paratrooper, as well as lessons in hostage rescue and survival tactics. Likewise, the recruits go into simulated captivity, where they are abused and interrogated to prepare them for the worst.
Shaldag unit
The work of the Shaldag special unit, founded in 1974, is largely kept secret. What is known is that it operates under the command of the Air Force and is one of the most elite units in the IDF.
According to the military, their mission is to “position undetected in hostile environments to conduct reconnaissance, establish strike zones and airfields, and enable air strikes.” On Wednesday, the Israeli army shared a video showing Shaldag soldiers in action. They killed several terrorists and rescued residents of Kibbutz Be’eri.
Duvdevan unit
The Duvdevan Unit was founded in 1966 to develop methods of war in densely populated civilian areas. As the Israeli army announced via X in 2021, the soldiers train with advanced weapons and robots. They also specialize in operations in urban areas.
Because the Gaza Strip is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, this unit will likely be called up. More than two million people live in the coastal strip, which is only 40 kilometers long and a maximum of 13 kilometers wide.
Duvdevan is also charged with preventing terrorist activities and terrorist cells. The armed forces operate both openly and covertly within the Arab population.
Egoz unit
The Egoz unit, founded in 1995, specializes in the fight against Hezbollah. It focuses on the north of Israel, but also has positions in the rest of the country. The Lebanese Hezbollah is also involved in the current conflict. Since October 7, the army has reported fighting at the border almost every day.
The unit also specializes in “complex terrain combat, fieldwork, stealth and miniature warfare.” According to the military, Egoz also has a “unique weapons department” and a development department responsible for “finding creative solutions and technological innovations to problems arising on the ground” and “protecting against new enemy attacks.”
Oketz unit
The Oketz dog unit is used in the fight against terrorism and was founded in 1974. The specially trained dogs are used for search and rescue operations and are active throughout the country. Each dog is trained for a specific function. These include attacks, rescues and the search for weapons, explosives and terrorists.
During their training, soldiers spend a lot of time with their assigned dog. According to the IDF, this personal bond between humans and animals is “an essential part of the unit’s character traits.” On October 7, the unit reportedly helped rescue more than 200 Israelis.
Maglan Unit
The Maglan commando unit, founded in 1986, operates deep in enemy territory. According to the Israeli military, it specializes in “attacking and destroying” enemy targets and “collecting accurate information.”
The unit also has “advanced weapons development.” Their goal: “To find creative solutions and technological innovations according to the operational requirements and covert activities of the unit.”
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.
