These missions include hostage rescues, deep infiltration raids, and strategic strikes across enemy territory. and many remain classified until today.

By Hezy Laing

The IDF’s elite units have been involved in some of the world’s riskiest missions.

These include hostage rescues, deep infiltration raids, and strategic strikes across enemy territory.

These operations showcase Israel’s top units such as Sayeret Matkal, Shayetet 13, Shaldag, and Unit 669—executing high-risk missions with precision and secrecy.

Here are ten of the IDF’s most daring mission:

Operation Entebbe (1976) Perhaps the most famous IDF mission, this hostage rescue at Uganda’s Entebbe Airport involved Sayeret Matkal flying 2,500 miles to free 102 hostages held by Palestinian and German terrorists. The raid lasted 90 minutes and is considered one of the most successful counter-terror operations in history.

Sabena Flight 571 Rescue (1972) Sayeret Matkal disguised themselves as aircraft technicians to storm a hijacked Belgian airliner at Ben Gurion Airport. The operation freed all hostages and neutralized the terrorists with minimal casualties.

Operation Orchard (2007) Shaldag Unit and Israeli jets destroyed a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor in Deir ez-Zor. The mission involved deep infiltration, laser target designation, and complete secrecy until it was revealed a year later.

Operation Wrath of God (1970s–1980s) A covert Mossad-IDF campaign to assassinate those responsible for the Munich Olympics massacre. Though not a single raid, it involved daring operations across Europe and the Middle East.

Operation Thunderbolt in Gaza (2024) Shayetet 13 and Unit 669 conducted a high-risk extraction of wounded soldiers under fire in Khan Younis. The mission involved helicopter insertions and urban combat in dense terrain.

Operation Cast Lead (2008–2009) While a broader military campaign, elite units executed pinpoint raids on Hamas leadership compounds, including tunnel networks and weapons caches.

Operation Heavy Roads (2024) Shaldag Unit infiltrated Syria to dismantle an Iranian missile factory near Masyaf. The mission neutralized hundreds of long-range missiles and involved underground sabotage.

Operation Bayonet (2023) Yamam counter-terror forces stormed a West Bank compound to rescue hostages held by Islamic Jihad. The mission was completed in under 10 minutes with no civilian casualties.

Operation Spring of Youth (1973) IDF commandos raided PLO headquarters in Beirut, killing key operatives involved in terror attacks. The mission required sea-to-land insertion and urban combat.

Operation Moses (1984) A humanitarian airlift of Ethiopian Jews from Sudan to Israel. Though not a combat mission, it involved covert coordination with foreign governments and dodging hostile forces.

These missions reflect the IDF’s doctrine of speed, secrecy, and surgical precision.

Many remain classified, but those revealed demonstrate Israel’s global reach and tactical ingenuity.