| 13th Flotilla | |
|---|---|
| Shayetet 13 | |
 S'13 Insignia | |
| Active | 1948–present |
| Country |  Israel |
| Branch |  Israeli Navy |
| Type | Maritime Sayeret Special Operation Force |
| Role | Special Operations Counter-terrorism Sabotage Special Reconnaissance Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) |
| Size | 3 companies |
| Part of | Israeli Navy |
| Garrison/HQ | Atlit 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 |
| Engagements | Suez 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]
- ^ "Shayetet 13". idf.il. 27 December 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Booth, Robert (2010-05-31). "Israeli attack on Gaza flotilla sparks international outrage". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2010-06-21.
- ^ Miller, David (2003). Illustrated Directory of Special Forces. Voyageur Press. ISBN 978-0760314197. Retrieved 2014-07-28 – via Google Books.