| Unit 217 | |
|---|---|
| יחידה 217 | |
 Combat pin of Unit 217 | |
| Active | 1986–present |
| Country |  Israel |
| 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. 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.
History
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Unit 217 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.
Roni Numa was a commander of the Duvdevan Unit before being promoted to aluf (major general).
Upon joining the Commando Brigade, Unit 217 expanded its operational activities.
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. Unit 217 is most similar to the Yamas unit of the Israel Border Police.
In fiction
The Netflix television series Fauda focuses on a fictional Israeli elite unit modeled after Duvdevan. The series was co-created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff; Raz formerly served in the unit.
Equipment
- Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol
- M89SR sniper rifle
- M24 Sniper Weapon System – sniper system
- M4 carbine with 10" barrel
- Remington 870 combat shotgun
- Para Micro-Uzi submachine gun
- IMI Negev machine gun
- Shipon multi-purpose rocket-launcher
- Mk 47 Striker automatic grenade launcher
- Glock 17/19C
- combat knife
Gallery
-
Duvdevan September 2020
-
Duvdevan Unit, March 2022
-
Iron Swords Duvdevan Unit-006
-
Joint exercise of the Duvdevan Unit and the 601st Special Forces Group of the Czech army
See also
- Heroes for life
- Israeli Special Forces Units
- Kidon
- Samson Unit
- Killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, alleged to be involved in the 2022 killing of a jounalist
References
- Steve Macko, The IDF Duvedevan Unit Archived 2007-11-25 at the Wayback Machine, Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997)
- "יחידת דובדבן: כך מתקבלים ליחידת המסתערבים - חטיבת הקומנדו". אדרנלין כושר קרבי (in Hebrew). 12 May 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
- ^ "Duvdevan Unit". idf.il. Israel Defense Forces. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
- Ronen Bergman, How the Pandemic Nearly Tore Israel Apart, New York Times Magazine (February 25, 2021).
- ^ Netanya Stein, Fauda: The true story behind the chaos, Jewish Unpacked (June 15, 2023).
- David M. Halbfinger, 'Fauda,' an Israeli TV Hit, Lets Viewers Escape — Into the Conflict, New York Times (May 22, 2018).
- ^ Lewis, Jack (28 February 2011). "Israel's Guns Against Terrorism". Assault Weapons. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-4402-2629-8.
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.