William Molinié, edited by Gauthier Delomez / Photo credits: Menahem KAHANA / AFP
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06:55, December 14, 2023
According to information from Europe 1, the Israeli police anti-terrorist group Yamam (the equivalent of RAID, BRI or GIGN in France), has paid a heavy price in the war against Hamas since October 7. Nearly a quarter of its troops are inoperative, dead or wounded in the fighting.
“Yamam”, the Israeli anti-terrorist unit – the equivalent of RAID, BRI or GIGN in France – is on the front line in the fighting against Hamas. Since the deadly attacks of October 7 in Israel, nearly 7% of its personnel have been killed in clashes with the group’s terrorists, or a dozen operators. In total, according to information from Europe 1, the unit lost, including the wounded, around fifty members of the group, who are now inoperative. This represents a quarter of its workforce.
Several executives of the group killed since October 7
A considerable tribute for this elite group of the Israeli police specializing in hostage-taking and the neutralization of terrorists hiding among civilians. During the territorial reconquest at the start of the conflict, several executives of the group were even killed in the urban fighting against Hamas, including at least two chief inspectors. “They will take years to rebuild their unit,” notes a security source. Especially since they continue, despite these losses, to be engaged daily in intervention missions in the Palestinian territories.
This special unit is one of the most experienced and recognized in the world. A Yamam police officer is considered fully operational at the age of 40. The selection is drastic, with less than one recruit per 1,000 candidates.
Moreover, French elite forces such as the RAID, the BRI or the GIGN regularly exchange training with their Israeli counterparts, as highlighted by the boss of the GIGN guest on the show on Tuesday. Pascal Praud and you on Europe 1.