Israel’s elite special forces unit, Shayetet 13, recently launched a mission to recapture a military post in southern Israel. This operation resulted in the elimination of 60 Hamas soldiers and the rescue of 250 hostages. Shayetet 13 is a marine and naval commando unit that specializes in sabotage, hostage rescue, and counterterrorism operations, and is frequently compared to the U.S. Navy SEALs. 

Key Points: 

1. Shayetet 13 operates on land, air, and sea, undergoing extensive training beyond typical combat, with a specialization in marine warfare and diving.
2. Many of Shayetet 13’s operations remain classified due to their covert nature and significance to Israel’s security.
3. While the exact number of members in Shayetet 13 is undisclosed, fewer than 40 out of thousands of applicants are selected annually.
4. Service commitment in Shayetet 13 is 6 1/2 years, exceeding regular Israeli military enlistment durations.
5. Currently, women do not serve in Shayetet 13, but recent changes may allow them to join other elite Israeli forces in the future.

Source: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/defense-national-security/israel-war-shayetet-13-special-forces-unit