Army to send reconstituted covert unit back into Gaza Strip

Ha`aretz ^ | 7/05/02 | Amos Harel

[kattracks]

The Israel Defense Forces is reconstituting the special operations unit in which soldiers disguised as Arabs operated in the Gaza Strip.

The reconstituted unit will consist of reservists who served in Shimshon, an undercover unit shut down in 1994 after the Oslo agreements were implemented and the IDF withdrew from most of Gaza.

Veterans of Shimshon were dispersed throughout the various reserve infantry units, but the name, Shimshon, was handed down to a new infantry regiment established five years ago that does not work undercover.

The Southern Command has been pressing for a reconstituted undercover unit, similar to Duvdevan, which operates in the West Bank and bears most of the burden of special operations in the territories. These operations have been responsible for hundreds of arrests in the last two years.

Outgoing Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz took steps a few months ago to reconstitute an undercover unit for Gaza, but the IDF's Manpower Division was opposed to the move.

But several former commanders and other officers and soldiers from the old Shimshon went to Southern Command's Maj. Gen. Doron Almog and the IDF commander in the Strip, Brig. Gen. Yisrael Ziv, suggesting the unit be revived. The IDF adopted the concept.

The reconstituted unit will be a reserve unit, based on former Shimshon soldiers, as well as ex-Duvdevan reservists. Their annual reserve service will be in the Gaza Strip and will focus on undercover raids to arrest suspected terrorists. The rest of the year, a Border Patrol unit trained for such operations will be used.

[College Repub]

cool

[Magnum44]

Interesting concept! No longer active duty, as a reservist I drill one weekend a month and two weeks a year annual reserve training (assuming I'm not recalled to active duty). During that two weeks, I might go to Pearl Harbor, HI, or San Diego, or Newport, or worst case, South Korea. Pending WWIII or a NK invasion, I expect I'll be home to see the family in two weeks. These guys will be a reserve unit and go under cover in Gaza for their annual reserve service! All I can say is they got GUTS!

[bybybill]

Maybe they`ll wear signs. Why tell the bad guys that you`re going to do something like this?

[LPStar]

I agree. This should not be in the news at all.

[patriciaruth]

It took almost two years after the intafada began to realize this was necessary? You see, kittycats, if even the Israelis take two years to wake to necessity, the American public may take longer than ten months.

[Duvdevan]

Most of our reserve combat units serve or have served in ''Ha Josh'' {Judea Samaria & Azza}.Duvdevan reservists were present during the Bethlehem siege and most of the soldiers who died in Jenin were reservists.
I have done 8 tours , most of the large arab towns.
Dont know if it takes guts, it's what we have to do.

Shabbat Shalom

[NerdDad]

Dont know if it takes guts, it's what we have to do.

I can't tell you how many times I have heard or read these or similar words coming from the people who are the true heroes. You and your fellow reservists have our respect and best wishes. Your service to your country during these times leaves this USAF vet (who never saw more than a threat) in awe. I don't get to read every thread every day so this is the first time I've seen a post from you. I hope you will be able to share your unique insight with us more often.

[woofer]

Maybe they`ll wear signs. Why tell the bad guys that you`re going to do something like this?

Perhaps the intention of announcing this is to throw the cloak of suspicion back onto the PA.

Heard the reports of what the palestinians do to their own if the suspect they are Israeli collaborators?

[RightOnline]

Four words:

Be careful. God bless.

[Un669]

Why tell the bad guys that you`re going to do something like this?


It's not like the IDF didn't operate with undercover units in the Gaza Strip. The thing is that several different SF units were used for that, but none of them had the Gaza Strip as its main speciality. In these sort of operations it's important that the combatants know the area well, because sometimes things don't go out as planned.

Anyways, a new unit operating only in the Gaza Strip will not only have more experience in that area (and thus improve its chances of success), but will free the other units to concentrating on the West Bank.

This does not mean the Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip will intensify, the IDF didn't wake up today after 2 years of Intifada and say: "Hey, we need to operate in the Gaza Strip as well". Hope you understand this.

[Howie]

My hat's off to you! I can't think of a scarier duty, bless you.

[Rebelbase]

Maybe its just a leak designed to get the Pali's to become suspicious of each other?

[Rebelbase]

Re: #9/#13, sorry, did'nt read yours before I posted!..Like minds.

[safisoft]

Duvdevan,

May Ha Shem bless you and keep you. We watch from a distance and admire such people with courage. We pray that Jerusalem will have peace.

Few warrior-classes have RIGHT on their side, as does the IDF. There is no doubt the IDF wars not only against physical monsters, but the forces of Hell itself. Look up, you are not alone - there are "watchers on the walls." Shalom.

[Magnum44]

As others have already said, my best salute and respects to you and your fellow reservist. I also will look for your posts in the future. I wish more Americans were as dedicated to this nation as most Isrealis are to yours.

V/R

[Magnum44]

I meant to ask you, what exactly is the normal 'annual reserve service' obligation in the IDF, outside of a full recall? Thanks in advance for your reply.

V/R

[archy]

Maybe they`ll wear signs. Why tell the bad guys that you`re going to do something like this?

Because for every one the Israelis apprehend, four others will be as nervous as cats in a room full of rocking chairs, concerned for their tails. And then they make mistakes, and drain otherwise available needed resources.

It's much the same approach as an occasional raid behind enemy lines, to force the posting of full-time guards at high alert. It drains energy. And it can also serve both as a nice diversion, and as an effective utilization of reservists with the skills required for such projects, particularly language and dialect.

-archy-/-