| Unit 217 | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1986–present |
| Country | State of Israel |
| Allegiance | Israeli Defense Force |
| Type | Mista'arvim |
| Role | urban warfare covert operations counter terrorism |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 89th "Oz" Brigade |
| Nickname(s) | Duvdevan |
| Motto(s) | (Hebrew: כִּי בְתַחְבֻּלוֹת, תַּעֲשֶׂה-לְּךָ מִלְחָמָה.) "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.
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 [2]
- M89SR sniper rifle
- M24 Sniper Weapon System – sniper system
- M4 carbine with 10" barrel[2]
- Remington 870 combat shotgun[2]
- Para Micro-Uzi submachine gun [2]
- IMI Negev machine gun
- Shipon multi-purpose rocket-launcher
- Mk 47 Striker automatic grenade launcher
- Glock 17/19C[2]
- 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)
- ^ 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.