Shayetet 13

13th Flotilla
Shayetet 13
S'13 Insignia
Active1948–present
Country Israel
Branch Israeli Navy
TypeMaritime Sayeret
Special Operation Force
RoleSpecial Operations
Counter-terrorism
Sabotage
Special Reconnaissance
Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS)
Size3 companies
Part ofIsraeli Navy
Garrison/HQAtlit naval base
Nickname(s)השייטת (HaShayetet, The Flotilla)
Motto(s)As the bat emerges from the darkness, As the blade cuts through with silence, As the grenade smashes in rage
EngagementsSuez Crisis
Six-Day War
War of Attrition
Operation Spring of Youth
Operation Litani
1982 Lebanon War
South Lebanon conflict
Operation Moses
First Intifada
Second Intifada
Santorini
Noah's Ark
Abu Hasan
2006 Lebanon War
Gaza War
Francop Affair
Gaza flotilla raid
Iron Law
Operation Full Disclosure
Operation Protective Edge
2023 Israel–Hamas war
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Ami Ayalon
Ze'ev Almog
Yoav Galant
Insignia
Shoulder Tag

Shayetet 13 (Hebrew: שייטת 13, lit.'Flotilla 13') is a unit of the Israeli Navy and one of the primary reconnaissance units of the Israel Defense Forces. Shayetet 13 specializes in sea-to-land incursions, counter-terrorism, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and boarding. The unit is trained for sea, air and land actions.[1] The unit has taken part in almost all of Israel's major wars, as well as other actions.

The unit is one of the most secretive in the Israeli military. The details of many missions and identities of active operatives are kept highly classified. The unit is respected as among the best of the world's special forces,[2] and is compared to the US Navy SEALs and Britain's Special Boat Service.[3] Unlike many other Israeli Special Forces Units which take men only for their 36-month mandatory service, volunteers for Shayetet 13 must agree to serve at least four and a half years.[4]

  1. ^ "Shayetet 13". idf.il. 27 December 2021.
  2. ^ Mahnaimi, Uzi; Jenkins, Gareth (2010-06-06). "TimesonLine- Operation calamity". The Times. London. Archived from the original on May 7, 2011. Retrieved 2010-06-07.
  3. ^ Booth, Robert (2010-05-31). "Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla sparks international outrage". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
  4. ^ Miller, David (2003). Illustrated Directory of Special Forces. Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0760314197. Retrieved 2014-07-28 – via Google Books.