SAYERET MATKAL

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Context

• Israeli elite special forces wing, Sayeret Matkal, is reportedly on standby to rescue the hostages in Gaza.

What is Sayeret Matkal?

• Established in 1957, Sayeret Matkal, also known as “the Unit”, is among the world’s most efficient counter-terrorism forces.
• Sayeret Matkal is chiefly a “field intelligence-gathering unit, conducting deep reconnaissance behind enemy lines to obtain strategic intelligence”, which is also tasked with “counter-terrorism and hostage rescue beyond Israel’s borders.”
• This highly secretive special operations unit is modelled on the British Special Air Service (SAS) regiment.
• Also known as the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit or Unit 269, these special forces unit of the IDF has successfully completed several missions including in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, and most famously at Entebbe, a city in Uganda.

• Sayaret Matkal operates from a secret base deep in the Negev Desert in southern Israel.
• The candidates have to go through a harsh camp known as Gibbush which includes going without sleep for several days, before even being selected for basic training.

Trivia

• Many elite Israeli politicians have served in Sayeret Matkal, including former prime ministers Ehud Barak and Naftali Bennett.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was also a veteran of the Unit and took part in several missions, including the 1972 rescue of hijacked Sabena Flight 571 during which he was shot in the shoulder.