The Israeli counter-terrorism unit, Yamam, known for its covert operations, made headlines when it conducted a daring daytime raid on two homes in central Gaza on October 7th. This mission, involving the rescue of hostages who had been forcibly taken across the border, brought the unit’s existence to the forefront.

Yamam’s operations have traditionally been shrouded in secrecy, often attributed to other units. However, the advent of smartphones and social media has made it increasingly difficult to keep their activities hidden. “In the age of real-time broadcasting, we recognize that the rules have changed,” a Yamam source acknowledged.

Established in 1974 as part of Israel’s Border Police, Yamam’s primary objective is to control and resolve hostage situations. It shares similarities with the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team, but its capability for rapid offensive raids, such as the Gaza hostage rescue in June, aligns it with elite American units like Delta Force and Navy SEALs, with whom they frequently train and collaborate.

“Yamam is a multifaceted force with a wide range of internal expertise,” explained Zohar Dvir, a former unit commander. The unit comprises specialists in various fields, including snipers, bomb disposal experts, canine handlers, medics, and undercover agents known as “mista’aravim.” “It’s a full-fledged ‘Fauda,'” Dvir added, referencing the popular Israeli TV series about undercover operations.

“Yamam utilizes cutting-edge technology,” noted David Tzur, a retired commander. “The unit serves as a testing ground for innovations, collaborating with civilian and defense industries to refine and replicate technologies for wider use.”

“Yamam’s distinct advantage lies in its ability to execute thousands of high-risk operations with exceptional precision,” Dvir emphasized.

“Yamam is regarded as one of the most experienced, if not the most experienced, counter-terrorism units worldwide,” a unit commander disclosed anonymously. “Due to the daily reality of combating terrorist threats in the West Bank, Yamam fighters participate in hundreds of operations annually. Following October 7th, we joined the fight in Gaza.”

For security reasons, all current Yamam members provided only their initials when speaking with Fox Digital News. 

The hostages in the densely populated Nuseirat refugee camp had been located weeks prior by Shin Bet, Israel’s internal intelligence service, with assistance from American and British drones. “We were aware of the situation weeks in advance,” explained Captain A., a team leader. “We received the mission, studied the target, and initiated preparations.”

On a Saturday morning, operatives arrived at the target locations, just a few hundred meters apart, in civilian trucks. They stormed the two locations and successfully rescued the four hostages. Noa Argamani, whose image went viral as she was abducted by terrorists on October 7th, was found at the first site. At the second location, they rescued Shlomi Ziv, Andrey Kozlov, and Almog Meir.

Despite encountering resistance, “everything went according to plan,” confirmed Deputy Superintendent A., a key figure in the operation. 

The team faced a particularly challenging situation at Argamani’s location, fearing one of the terrorists was close to her. “The objective was to reach her as quickly as possible, and that’s precisely what we did. We only realized she was alive when A. and D.” — two operatives — “exclaimed, ‘We have a diamond! We have a diamond!’ Upon confirming she was safe, our priority became her safe extraction,” recounted Sgt. Major Y.

Operatives shielded Argamani with their bodies as they escorted her to safety amidst 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. said.

While Argamani’s rescue went smoothly, the situation at the second apartment proved more complicated. Upon entry, the team encountered “very effective” fire. In the ensuing battle, the team’s commander, Arnon Zmora, was critically injured. “It all happened very quickly. It was a matter of seconds,” recalled Captain A.  

Similar to Argamani’s rescue, the team shielded the hostages with their body armor and helmets while evacuating them under fire. “The area was like a hornet’s nest, teeming with militants both inside and outside,” A. described. “We swiftly moved [the hostages] towards the military vehicles, all while enduring effective fire from the apartment and its surroundings.”

Although the hostages were rescued unharmed, the mission’s conclusion was tragic for the Yamam team. “We saved the hostages, but we lost one of our own,” a fighter told Fox Digital News, referring to Arnon Zmora, a 36-year-old father of two. “But this is both our privilege and our duty,” he said. “We’ll fight until the last soldier, regardless of the cost.”

“While these operations are heroic, they create the illusion that military pressure alone will free the hostages,” Tzur stated.  “If there’s an operational window for a rescue, we should seize it, but ultimately, we’ll need to make a difficult and unpleasant deal. On October 7th, we were caught off guard, and now we’re forced to negotiate with the devil. Only a deal can bring the hostages back alive,” he said.

The Nuseirat raid marked the third time Yamam was involved in rescuing hostages kidnapped by Hamas, including the rescue of , an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) lookout held captive in the Gaza Strip, and Fernando Marman, 60, and Louis Har, 70, who were held in Rafah. 

As one of Israel’s most elite forces, their operations are often authorized at the highest levels, including the Prime Minister’s Office. The unit’s fighters are generally older than IDF conscripts and have already experienced intense combat during their IDF service. 

When , YAMAM operatives were the first responders to the unfolding crisis, engaging in combat across 15 different locations that day. This included a 27-hour-long battle against Hamas’s elite Nukba force at the police station in Sderot, an Israeli city bordering Gaza’s northern border. Nine Yamam fighters lost their lives in that battle. 

“They prevented the advance of Hamas’ elite forces northward, stopping them at Yad Mordechai and neutralizing many of them. The team, led by Arnon Zmora, halted their progress towards Ashdod, Ashkelon, and even as far as Tel Aviv,” Dvir stated, adding, “they eliminated over 200 terrorists.”

“We fight for two reasons,” said G., a Yamam fighter who participated in the Sderot battle. “One is the desire to destroy the enemy and be the first to engage them. But far more profound than that,” he continued, “is the desire to save lives.”