From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Duvdevan Unit

Israeli undercover counter-terrorism unit

Field	Value
unit_name	Unit 217
native_name
image	סיכת דובדבן.png
caption	Combat pin of Unit 217
dates	1986–present
country	Israel
type	Mistaʽaravim
role	counter-terrorism
command_structure	89th "Oz" Brigade
nickname	Duvdevan ()
motto
"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6)
colors
colors_label	Colours

"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6)

Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan (), 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

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 during the Gaza war 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

References

"Duvdevan Unit".
"Hundreds of IDF soldiers conduct largest W. Bank counterterror operation in several months".
Cohen, Aaron. (May 1, 2008). "Brotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World's Most Elite Counterterrorism Units". Ecco.
Steve Macko, [http://www.emergency.com/idfduvan.htm ''The IDF Duvedevan Unit''] {{webarchive. link. (2007-11-25 , Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997))
(2021-05-12). "יחידת דובדבן: כך מתקבלים ליחידת המסתערבים - חטיבת הקומנדו".
Ronen Bergman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/25/magazine/how-the-pandemic-nearly-tore-israel-apart.html How the Pandemic Nearly Tore Israel Apart], ''New York Times Magazine'' (February 25, 2021).
"Duvdevan Unit". [[Israel Defense Forces]].
Netanya Stein, [https://jewishunpacked.com/fauda-the-true-story-behind-the-chaos/ Fauda: The true story behind the chaos], ''Jewish Unpacked'' (June 15, 2023).
David M. Halbfinger, [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/22/arts/television/fauda-an-israeli-tv-hit-lets-viewers-escape-into-the-conflict.html 'Fauda,' an Israeli TV Hit, Lets Viewers Escape — Into the Conflict], ''New York Times'' (May 22, 2018).
Lewis, Jack. (28 February 2011). "Assault Weapons". Gun Digest Books.

Info: Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

special-forces-of-israel military-counterterrorist-organizations military-units-and-formations-established-in-1986

Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Duvdevan Unit — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report