Metzada unit

Metzada unit (Hebrew: יחידת מצדה‎‎) is the Israeli Prison Service hostage rescue and special operations unit, one of five hostage rescue units in Israel.[1]

The unit operates during complex occurrences that take place within the correctional facilities all over the country . The unit is nationwide and it's directly subordinate to the IPS chief of operations.[1]

Since 2006 Metzada is also IDF General Staff subordinate unit and operates at IDF missions subject to the approval of the IPS Commissioner.[1] Metzada unit specializes in working with non-lethal weapons. Unit's instructors consult and assist on the subject for all Israeli Defense Community.[2]

Metzada unit
Metzada unit sign
Active 2003–present
Country
Israel
Branch
Israel Prison Service
Type Hostage Rescue
Role Special Operations and Hostage Rescue unit

Unit's Responsibilities

1. Hostage rescue unit

2. Detection and arrest of escaped prisoners, including arrests in Judea and Samaria Area.[3]

3. Other kind of IPS activities

4. Assistance for IDF and Israel Police at operational activities.[1]

Organization and structure

Metzada unit is nationwide and directly subordinate to the chief of operations of the IPS. Unit's operators are IPS personnel on payroll with combat experience from their military service within the Israel Defense Forces.[2]

Recruitment requirements are: IDF combat service (training level 08 minimum), sergeant\ officer course graduate and high level of physical fitness. The selection process includes a number of long physical and psychological tests. In the end of the process only the few candidates proceed to Metzada Operator training course, which takes place in the unit's training center. Overall, only one percent of candidates become Metzada Operators.[2]

After the completion of a six-month course, the unit members are divided into sections. The unit is formed of two major sections: takeover and the break in. The takeover section specializes in aspects related to any takeover, including the takeover of cells within the prison or a prisoner transport vehicles. The break in section specializes in deployment of explosives and door breaching.[2]

At the sections, the operators specialize in various professions: roping, breach and entry, K-9, sniping, negotiation, etc.[2]

History

Metzada unit was established in 2003 by IPS Commissioner Yaakov Ganot as a response to increased level of personnel assaults and hostage kidnapping attempts performed by prisoners during that period.[1] Until 2003 there was no hostage rescue unit in IPS, so in case of emergency situations it would have to depend on other organizations, such as Israel Police and IDF.[4]

Since 2006 Metzada is also IDF General Staff subordinate unit and it's responsible for hostage rescue at IDF correctional facilities.[2]

Published operational record (2003- today)

See also

Other Israeli hostage rescue units:

Further reading

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Metzada Unit page at IPS official website (Hebrew)".
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Telem, Naama (January 2014). "הלבנה החזקה בקיר". Israel Prison Service official website.
  3. 1 2 TIMES OF ISRAEL STAFF (October 2013). "Murderer back in jail after 13 years on run" – via Times of Israel.
  4. ↑ Shtelzer, Orit (April 2004). "הלוחם שמאחורי מסיכה". See IPS (רואים שב"ס).
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Metzada - takover unit of IPS (מצדה- יחידת השתלטות של שירות בתי הסוהר). Israel: Goverment publishing (המדפיס הממשלתי). 2014.
  6. ↑ "טקס הענקת דרגות ועיטורים". Israel Prison Service Official website. October 2014.
  7. ↑ Kempinski, Yoni (August 2016). "Watch: Masada unit storms Nafha Prison" – via israelnationalnews.com.
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