Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan (), is a
''mistaʽaravim'' unit in the
Commando Brigade of the
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and ...
.
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
Arabs (, , ; , , ) are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting the Arab world in West Asia and North Africa. A significant Arab diaspora is present in various parts of the world.
Arabs have been in the Fertile Crescent for thousands of years ...
populace. The unit is also known to have highly trained members in both human and mechanical
counter-surveillance
Countersurveillance refers to measures that are usually undertaken by the public to prevent surveillance, including covert surveillance. Countersurveillance may include electronic methods such as technical surveillance counter-measures, which is ...
. Unit 217 performs many high-risk and complicated operations, including
targeted killings
Targeted killing is a form of assassination carried out by governments outside a judicial procedure or a battlefield.
Since the late 20th century, the legal status of targeted killing has become a subject of contention within and between variou ...
of militants and a range of other undercover operations in
Arab regions, many of which are classified.
History
According to the
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and ...
(IDF), Unit 217 was established in June 1986 to deal with "security events" in the
West Bank
The West Bank is located on the western bank of the Jordan River and is the larger of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the Gaza Strip) that make up the State of Palestine. A landlocked territory near the coast of the Mediter ...
, 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
A rabbi (; ) is a spiritual leader or religious teacher in Judaism. One becomes a rabbi by being ordained by another rabbi—known as ''semikha''—following a course of study of Jewish history and texts such as the Talmud. The basic form of t ...
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
( or "first/leader of a group" in Biblical Hebrew) is a senior military rank in the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) for officers who in other countries would have the rank of general, air marshal, or admiral. In addition to the ''aluf'' rank, fo ...
'' (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
Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...
television series '' Fauda'' focuses on a fictional Israeli elite unit modeled after Duvdevan.[Netanya Stein]
Fauda: The true story behind the chaos
''Jewish Unpacked'' (June 15, 2023). The series was co-created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff
Avi Issacharoff (; born 1973) is an Israeli journalist, known for his focus on Palestinian affairs. He is a Middle East commentator for '' The Times of Israel'' and its sister news outlet Walla!, and the Palestinian and Arab Affairs Corresponden ...
; Raz formerly served in the unit.[David M. Halbfinger]
'Fauda,' an Israeli TV Hit, Lets Viewers Escape — Into the Conflict
''New York Times'' (May 22, 2018).
Equipment
* Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol
* M89SR sniper rifle
* M24 Sniper Weapon System
The M24 Sniper Weapon System (SWS) or M24 is the military and police version of the Remington Model 700 rifle, ''M24'' being the model name assigned by the United States Army after adoption as their standard sniper rifle in 1988. The M24 is ref ...
– sniper system
* M4 carbine
The M4 carbine (officially Carbine, Caliber 5.56 mm, M4) is a 5.56×45mm NATO assault rifle developed in the United States during the 1980s. It is a shortened version of the M16A2 assault rifle. The M4 is extensively used by the US mi ...
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
File:Duvdevan_September_2020,_IX.jpg, Duvdevan Unit, September 2020
File:Duvdevan_Unit,_March_2022_III.jpg, Duvdevan Unit, March 2022
File:Iron_Swords-Duvdevan_unit-006.jpg, Duvdevan soldiers in the West Bank, 2024
File:Iron Swords-Duvdevan unit-002.jpg, Duvdevan soldiers in Khan Yunis
Khan Yunis (), also spelled Khan Younis or Khan Yunus, is a city in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestine, and serves as the capital of the Khan Yunis Governorate. It has been largely destroyed during the Gaza war.
Before the 14th century, Khan Y ...
during the Gaza war
The Gaza war is an armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel fought since 7 October 2023. A part of the unresolved Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israeli–Palestinian and Gaza–Israel conflict, Gaza–Israel conflicts dating ...
File:Joint_exercise_of_the_Duvdevan_Unit_and_the_601st_Special_Forces_Group_of_the_Czech_army,_August_2017._III.jpg, 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 journalist
References
Further reading
*
External links
Garret Machine
{{Authority control
Special forces of Israel
Military counterterrorist organizations
Military units and formations established in 1986