Duvdevan Unit

{{Infobox military unit

| unit_name = Unit 217

| native_name = {{Script/Hebrew|יחידה 217}}

| image = סיכת דובדבן.png

| caption = Combat pin of Unit 217

| dates = 1986–present

| country = {{flag|Israel}}

| role = counter-terrorism{{cite web|url=https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/our-corps-units-brigades/commando/duvdevan/duvdevan-unit/ | website=idf.il/ | title= Duvdevan Unit}}{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-816703#google_vignette | website = Jerusalem Post | title = Hundreds of IDF soldiers conduct largest W. Bank counterterror operation in several months | quote = "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 book|first = Aaron | last = Cohen | title = Brotherhood of Warriors: Behind Enemy Lines with a Commando in One of the World's Most Elite Counterterrorism Units | publisher = Ecco | date = May 1, 2008 | asin = B001Q3KM9Y }}

| command_structure = 89th "Oz" Brigade

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| nickname = Duvdevan ({{Script/Hebrew|דובדבן}})

| patron =

| motto = {{Script/Hebrew|כִּ֣י בְ֖תַחְבֻּלוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה־לְּךָ֣ מִלְחָמָ֑ה}}
"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war" (Proverbs 24:6)

| colors = {{legend2|#FF0000|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}{{legend2|#FFFFFF|border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}

| colors_label = Colours

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}}

Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan ({{langx|he|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.Steve Macko, [http://www.emergency.com/idfduvan.htm The IDF Duvedevan Unit] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071125074326/http://www.emergency.com/idfduvan.htm |date=2007-11-25 }}, Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997) 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.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

History

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Unit 217{{Cite web |date=2021-05-12 |title=יחידת דובדבן: כך מתקבלים ליחידת המסתערבים - חטיבת הקומנדו |url=https://adrenalin-israel.co.il/duvdevan-about-the-unit/ |access-date=2022-04-21 |website=אדרנלין כושר קרבי |language=he-IL}} 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).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).

Upon joining the Commando Brigade, Unit 217 expanded its operational activities.{{cite web |url=https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/duvdevan-unit/ |title=Duvdevan Unit |website=idf.il |publisher=Israel Defense Forces |access-date=July 25, 2021}}

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.Netanya Stein, [https://jewishunpacked.com/fauda-the-true-story-behind-the-chaos/ Fauda: The true story behind the chaos], Jewish Unpacked (June 15, 2023). The series was co-created by Lior Raz and Avi Issacharoff; Raz formerly served in the unit.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).

Equipment

Jericho 941 semi-automatic pistol {{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Jack|authorlink=Jack Lewis (screenwriter)|title=Assault Weapons|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sb9Ql8FBZlEC&pg=PA21|date=28 February 2011|publisher=Gun Digest Books|location=Iola, Wisconsin|isbn=978-1-4402-2629-8|page=21|chapter=Israel's Guns Against Terrorism}}
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