Israel’s elite special forces unit, Shayetet 13, recently launched a mission to recapture a military post in southern Israel. This operation resulted in the elimination of 60 Hamas soldiers and the rescue of 250 hostages. Shayetet 13 is a marine and naval commando unit that specializes in sabotage, hostage rescue, and counterterrorism operations, and is frequently compared to the U.S. Navy SEALs.
Key Points:
- Shayetet 13 operates on land, air, and sea, undergoing extensive training beyond typical combat, with a specialization in marine warfare and diving.
- Many of Shayetet 13’s operations remain classified due to their covert nature and significance to Israel’s security.
- While the exact number of members in Shayetet 13 is undisclosed, fewer than 40 out of thousands of applicants are selected annually.
- Service commitment in Shayetet 13 is 6 1/2 years, exceeding regular Israeli military enlistment durations.
- Currently, women do not serve in Shayetet 13, but recent changes may allow them to join other elite Israeli forces in the future.
