'Full on Fauda': An exclusive look at Israel's elite special forces unit combating terrorists and saving hostages

The Yamam counter-terrorism force, a unit of Israel's elite, carried out a daring daytime raid on two homes in central Gaza and rescued four hostages who had been taken across the border on October 7. This was the first time many people learned of the unit's existence.

For many years, Yamam's operations were kept secret and their accomplishments were often attributed to other units. However, with the rise of social media and smartphones, videos of their operations have become widely available online. As a result, the source says that the rules of the game have changed, and today, Yamam's operations are being broadcasted in real-time on social media.

The Special Central Unit — Yeḥida Merkazit Meyuḥedet, in Hebrew, or Yamam — was established in 1974 as a unique unit of Israel's Border Police, with the primary objective of managing and resolving hostage situations. This unit is similar to the FBI's Hostage Rescue Team, but it also has the capability to execute rapid offensive raids, such as the hostage rescue carried out in Gaza in June. Due to this capability, Yamam is closely associated with elite American units like Delta Force and Navy SEALs, with whom they are said to train and cooperate.

Zohar Dvir, a retired unit commander, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that Yamam is similar to an aircraft carrier with a variety of in-house capabilities. The unit comprises experts such as snipers, bomb disposal specialists, canine handlers, medics, and undercover agents known as "mista'aravim." Dvir added, "It's full on 'Fauda."

"David Tzur, a retired commander from Yamam, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that the group equips its personnel with cutting-edge technology. Yamam serves as a testing ground for innovations, collaborating with civilian and defense industries to refine and replicate technologies for broader use."

Dvir explained that what distinguishes Yamam is their remarkable ability to execute thousands of high-risk operations with exceptional accuracy.

"Yamam is widely regarded as one of the most experienced counter-terrorism units worldwide, if not the most," a unit commander speaking anonymously to Planet Chronicle Digital stated. "Due to the daily realities we face in the West Bank, Yamam fighters engage in hundreds of operations annually. Following Oct. 7, we joined the fight in Gaza."

A Race Against Time

Due to security concerns, all Yamam members withheld their full names while speaking to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Weeks before the hostage crisis in the Nuseirat refugee camp, Shin Bet, Israel's internal intelligence service, with the help of American and British drones, had gathered intelligence on the location of the hostages. "We knew about the situation weeks before," says Captain A., a team leader. "We received the mission, studied the target, and began our preparations."

On a Saturday morning, operatives arrived in civilian trucks at two target locations, which were just a few hundred meters apart. They stormed the locations and rescued four hostages. At the first site, they found Noa Argamani, whose terrified image was seen worldwide as she was taken away on a motorcycle by terrorists from Israel on the morning of October 7. At the second location, they rescued Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir.

Despite resistance, "everything went according to plan," said Deputy Superintendent A, a crucial member of the operation.

At Argamani's location, the team encountered a difficult situation where they believed one of the terrorists was near her. Their objective was to get as close to her as possible, which they accomplished. It was only when operatives A. and D. shouted, "We have a diamond! We have a diamond!" that they realized she was still alive. Sgt. Major Y. recalls that their priority after confirming her presence was to ensure her safe exit.

Operatives shielded Argamani with their bodies as they moved her to safety under heavy fire. "She was barefoot, so D. carried her on his back. She was terrified and couldn’t believe what was happening, even when we told her, ‘We’re here to take you home,’" A. told Planet Chronicle Digital.

The rescue of Argamani went smoothly, but the situation at the second apartment was much more complicated. As the team entered, they faced a very effective fire. In the ensuing battle, the team's commander, Arnon Zmora, was critically injured. "Everything happened very quickly. It was a matter of seconds," recalls Captain A.

The apartment was a hornets' nest, filled with militants both inside and outside," A. says. "We swiftly escorted the hostages towards the military vehicles while taking effective fire from within the building and its surroundings.

Despite rescuing the hostages without harm, the Yamam team suffered a tragic loss with the death of Arnon Zmora, a 36-year-old father of two young boys. One of the fighters told Fox Digital News that "this is both our privilege and our duty," and they will continue to fight until the last soldier, no matter the cost.

Tzur stated that although the military operations were brave, they gave the impression that military force alone would liberate the hostages. He emphasized that if there was an opportunity for a rescue, it should be seized, but ultimately, a difficult and unpleasant agreement would be necessary. On October 7th, the group was taken by surprise, and now they were forced to negotiate with the devil. Only a deal could ensure the safe return of the hostages, according to Tzur.

Yamam was involved in the rescue of hostages kidnapped by Hamas for the third time, including Private Ori Megidish, an IDF lookout held captive in the Gaza Strip, and Fernando Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, who were held in Rafah.

The unit, being one of Israel's most elite forces, typically has fighters who are older and have already experienced intense combat during their service in the IDF.

On October 7, when Hamas attacked Israel, Yamam operatives were the first to respond to the crisis, fighting in 15 different locations, including a 27-hour-long battle against Hamas’s elite Nukba force at the police station in Sderot, where nine Yamam fighters were killed.

"Dvir stated that the team, led by Arnon Zmora, stopped Hamas' elite forces northward at Yad Mordechai and neutralized many of them. They halted their progress towards Ashdod, Ashkelon, and even as far as Tel Aviv, eliminating more than 200 terrorists."

"G., a Yamam fighter who was in the Sderot battle, stated that they fight for two reasons: the desire to destroy the enemy and be the first to engage them, but what drives them even more strongly is the desire to save lives."