Duvdevan Unit
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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.cite-ref-4[4] 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.
Contents
• History
• Gallery
• See also
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History
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Unit 217cite-ref-5[5] 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.cite-ref-idf1-6-0[6]
Upon joining the Commando Brigade, Unit 217 expanded its operational activities.cite-ref-idf1-6-1[6]
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
Equipment
• Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol cite-ref-lewis2011-10-0[10]
• M24 Sniper Weapon System – sniper system
• M4 carbine with 10" barrelcite-ref-lewis2011-10-1[10]
• Remington 870 combat shotguncite-ref-lewis2011-10-2[10]
• Para Micro-Uzi submachine gun cite-ref-lewis2011-10-3[10]
• IMI Negev machine gun
• Shipon multi-purpose rocket-launcher
• Mk 47 Striker automatic grenade launcher
• Glock 17/19Ccite-ref-lewis2011-10-4[10]
Gallery
See also
References
cite-note-11. "Duvdevan Unit". idf.il/.
cite-note-22. "Hundreds of IDF soldiers conduct largest W. Bank counterterror operation in several months". Jerusalem Post. The Border Police, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and the IDF's Duvdevan special forces and Kfir Brigade initiated the counterterrorism operation in Tulkarm, Jenin, and other areas in response to the attempted suicide bombing attack in Tel Aviv on August 18 and a recent spike in Palestinian terror.
cite-note-33. citerefcohen2008Cohen, Aaron (1 May 2008). Brotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World's Most Elite Counterterrorism Units. Ecco. ASIN B001Q3KM9Y.
cite-note-44. ↑ Steve Macko, The IDF Duvedevan Unit Archived 2007-11-25 at the Wayback Machine, Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997)
cite-note-55. ↑ "יחידת דובדבן: כך מתקבלים ליחידת המסתערבים - חטיבת הקומנדו". אדרנלין כושר קרבי (in Hebrew). 12 May 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
cite-note-idf1-66. ↑ "Duvdevan Unit". idf.il. Israel Defense Forces. Retrieved 25 July 2021.
cite-note-77. ↑ Ronen Bergman, How the Pandemic Nearly Tore Israel Apart, New York Times Magazine (February 25, 2021).
cite-note-stein-88. ↑ Netanya Stein, Fauda: The true story behind the chaos, Jewish Unpacked (June 15, 2023).
cite-note-99. ↑ David M. Halbfinger, 'Fauda,' an Israeli TV Hit, Lets Viewers Escape — Into the Conflict, New York Times (May 22, 2018).
cite-note-lewis2011-1010. ↑ citereflewis2011Lewis, 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
• citerefcohencentury-douglas2008Cohen, 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