Duvdevan Unit
| Unit 217 | |
|---|---|
| SAYERET Duvdevan | |
 Unit Insignia | |
| Active | 1986–present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Allegiance |  Israel Defense Forces |
| Branch |  Israeli Ground Forces |
| Type | Mista'arvim |
| Role | urban warfare covert operations counter terrorism |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 89th "Oz" Brigade |
| Nickname(s) | Duvdevan |
| Motto(s) | כִּי בְתַחְבֻּלוֹת, תַּעֲשֶׂה-לְּךָ מִלְחָמָה. i.e.: "For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6). |
| Colors | Red and white |
Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan (Hebrew: דובדבן; lit. cherry) is a mista'arvim (undercover counter-terrorism) unit within the Israel Defense Forces, part of the Commando Brigade.
Duvdevan are noted for undercover operations in urban areas, during which they often wear Arab civilian clothes as a disguise.[1] They are also known to be trained in human and mechanical counter-surveillance. Unlike other special forces units, they can operate independently in more than one place at a time. The unit performs many high-risk and complicated operations, including targeted killing of terrorists and a range of other undercover operations in Arab areas, many of which are classified.[citation needed]
History[]
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Unit 217 was established in June 1986 to deal with "security events" in the Judea and Samaria region, especially in its densely populated civilian areas. During the 2015-2016 wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence, Unit 217 was involved in the arrests of the killers of Eitam and Na'ama Henkin, Hafna Meir, and Rabbi Ya’akov Littman (sometimes spelled Litman) and his son. For its work during the violence, the unit received the Israeli Chief of Staff Citation.[2]
Upon joining the Commando Brigade, Unit 217 expanded its operational activities.[2]
Organization and mission[]
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. The unit is most similar to the Yamas police unit.
Equipment[]
- Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol [3]
- M89SR sniper rifle
- M24 Sniper Weapon System – sniper system
- M4 carbine with 10" barrel[3]
- Remington 870 combat shotgun[3]
- Para Micro-Uzi submachine gun [3]
- IMI Negev machine gun
- Shipon multi-purpose rocket-launcher
- Mk 47 Striker automatic grenade launcher
- Glock 17/19C[3]
- combat knife
See also[]
- Israeli Special Forces Units
- Kidon
- Samson Unit
- Heroes for life
References[]
- ^ Steve Macko, The IDF Duvedevan Unit Archived 2007-11-25 at the Wayback Machine, Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997)
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Duvdevan Unit". idf.il. Israel Defense Forces. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Lewis, Jack (28 February 2011). "Israel's Guns Against Terrorism". Assault Weapons. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 21. ISBN 1-4402-2629-6.
Further reading[]
- Cohen, Aaron; Century, Douglas (2008). Brotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World's Most Elite Counterterrorism Units. New York: Ecco, Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0-06-123615-0.
External links[]
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|---|---|
| General | |
| National libraries | |
- Infantry of Israel
- Military operations of the Israeli–Palestinian conflict
- Special forces of Israel
- Counter-terrorist organizations
- Military units and formations established in 1986