Unit 217, frequently called Duvdevan (), is a mistaʽaravim unit in the Commando Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces.
It conducts undercover operations in urban areas, during which its members often wear civilian clothing to disguise themselves among the local Arab populace.Steve Macko, The IDF Duvedevan Unit , Emergency Response & Research Institute (August 11, 1997)
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).Ronen Bergman, 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.
According to the documentary, Who Killed Shireen?, in 2022 a member of the Duvdevan unit killed Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was reporting for Al Jazeera in Jenin.
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, 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, '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 – 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
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