Meet Israel’s Naval Commando, Which Rescued Hundreds of Hostages Within Hours
Shayetet 13 forces were among the first to arrive at the scene of the Hamas surprise terror attack
Shayetet 13 is the Israeli Navy’s elite commando unit, one of the primary reconnaissance units of the IDF. Its combatants, trained in simultaneous land-sea warfare, were among the first to arrive at the scene of the Hamas surprise terror attack on Saturday, October 7th.
Shayetet forces engaged in intense combat against Hamas terrorists in the Israeli communities surrounding the Gaza Strip. In total, its combatants managed to kill 60 terrorists and rescue approximately 250 hostages.
At the Sufa outpost, the naval commando unit fought against dozens of heavily armed terrorists in a battle that lasted several hours, at the end of which all the terrorists were either killed or captured as prisoners. In response to their valor, Lieutenant Colonel H, the commander of the unit, stated, "Unit 13 will defend you at all times and in all circumstances."
Simultaneously, the forces conducted sea operations, apprehended the deputy commander of Hamas' naval unit, and attacked targets from the sea. Lieutenant Colonel Eli Ginsburg and Staff Sergeant Ofek Rosso fell in battle. May their memory be a blessing.
Service in the Naval Commando Unit is one of the longest in the IDF: three years of career service following the three-year mandatory service. The training course, one of the most challenging in the IDF, lasts for approximately 20 months.
The course trains recruits in three specialties – operating combat boats, conducting underwater operations, and commando tactics. The commando combatant is the one who emerges from the sea for underwater raids and land missions.
Many glorious chapters have been written over the years of the Shayetet fighters’ missions and achievements beyond enemy lines. A lot remains classified.
The former commander of Shayetet 13, Major General Yoav Gallant, is Israel’s current minister of Defense.
Shayetet 13 forces were among the first to arrive at the scene of the Hamas surprise terror attack
Shayetet 13 is the Israeli Navy’s elite commando unit, one of the primary reconnaissance units of the IDF. Its combatants, trained in simultaneous land-sea warfare, were among the first to arrive at the scene of the Hamas surprise terror attack on Saturday, October 7th.
Shayetet forces engaged in intense combat against Hamas terrorists in the Israeli communities surrounding the Gaza Strip. In total, its combatants managed to kill 60 terrorists and rescue approximately 250 hostages.
At the Sufa outpost, the naval commando unit fought against dozens of heavily armed terrorists in a battle that lasted several hours, at the end of which all the terrorists were either killed or captured as prisoners. In response to their valor, Lieutenant Colonel H, the commander of the unit, stated, "Unit 13 will defend you at all times and in all circumstances."
Simultaneously, the forces conducted sea operations, apprehended the deputy commander of Hamas' naval unit, and attacked targets from the sea. Lieutenant Colonel Eli Ginsburg and Staff Sergeant Ofek Rosso fell in battle. May their memory be a blessing.
Service in the Naval Commando Unit is one of the longest in the IDF: three years of career service following the three-year mandatory service. The training course, one of the most challenging in the IDF, lasts for approximately 20 months.
The course trains recruits in three specialties – operating combat boats, conducting underwater operations, and commando tactics. The commando combatant is the one who emerges from the sea for underwater raids and land missions.
Many glorious chapters have been written over the years of the Shayetet fighters’ missions and achievements beyond enemy lines. A lot remains classified.
The former commander of Shayetet 13, Major General Yoav Gallant, is Israel’s current minister of Defense.
