‘Becoming the enemy to defeat the enemy.’
By Hezy Laing
The Mista’arvim are among the most secretive and daring units in the IDF, trained to operate undercover inside Arab cities and communities.
Their name comes from the Arabic word musta’arib, meaning “one who becomes Arab,” and that’s exactly what these operatives do—they disguise themselves as Arabs, speak fluent Arabic in local dialects, and adopt cultural norms to blend seamlessly into hostile environments.
Instead of their having their own force, these elite fighters make up specialized units in a variety of other forces, such as Duvdevan, Yamas (Border Police), and the Shin Bet.
Their missions range from capturing high-value terrorist targets, gathering intelligence, and disrupting planned attacks, to infiltrating riots and protests to identify and apprehend instigators.
Historically, the concept dates back to the Palmach’s “ha-Shahar” unit in 1943, which deployed native Arabic-speaking Jews to infiltrate Arab villages during the British Mandate period.
Since then, the Mista’arvim have evolved into a modern counterterrorism force, often operating in the Judea and Samaria, East Jerusalem, and Gaza border areas.
Their operations are typically fast, surgical, and high-risk—many take place in densely populated urban zones where conventional IDF forces would be too conspicuous.
One of their most famous tactics is the “snatch-and-grab”: operatives pose as civilians, sometimes even as protesters, until the target appears.
Then, in a flash, they overpower and arrest the suspect before melting back into the crowd.
These missions are often supported by real-time intelligence from drones, surveillance teams, and Shin Bet analysts.
The Mista’arvim undergo some of the most specialized and psychologically demanding training in the IDF.
Their mission: to blend seamlessly into Arab populations, infiltrate hostile environments, and neutralize threats before they erupt.
Training: Becoming the Enemy to Defeat the Enemy
Mista’arvim units like Duvdevan and Yamas are trained not just in combat, but in cultural immersion and deception.
Recruits learn:
• Fluent Palestinian Arabic, including slang and regional dialects
• Local customs, body language, and religious practices
• Disguise techniques, including makeup, clothing, and behavioral mimicry
• Urban navigation using satellite imagery and real-time drone feeds
• Unarmed combat and close-quarters takedowns, often in crowded civilian areas
Their training is so immersive that operatives are sometimes able to pass through enemy checkpoints undetected—even fooling Israeli security officials in controlled drills.
Some of their more famous operations include:
The Judea and Samaria Riots (2015)
During violent protests near Ramallah, Mista’arvim operatives dressed as Arab demonstrators infiltrated the crowd. At the right moment, they identified and captured key instigators, preventing escalation.
Gaza Strip Operations (Unit Shimson)
Before being merged into other elite units, Mista’arvim operatives conducted deep-cover missions in Gaza, capturing high-value Hamas operatives and disrupting planned attacks. Their success led to the formation of Egoz, another elite unit born from Mista’arvim experience.
