YAMAM is an elite civilian hostage rescue and counter-terrorism unit. Created in the 1970s, YAMAM is a Special Forces unit in the Border Guard, which is the combat branch of the Israel Police.
YAMAM was established in the wake of the 1974 Maalot massacre. Arab terrorists from Lebanon stormed a high school in the northern town and took teachers and students hostage. An attempt by Israeli forces to free the hostages ended with more than 20 students killed.
YAMAM is the Hebrew acronym for Special Police Unit (“Yechida Mishtartit Meyuchedet”), and is also referred to as the Special Counter-Terror Unit (“Yechida Meyuchedet le’milchama ba’terror).
YAMAM is the primary unit in charge of rescue operations within the country. It has also been known to carry out counter-terror operations inside the territories. It is considered the most combat capable special forces unit.
YAMAM duties include hostage rescue, counter-terror operations, SWAT duties, undercover police operations, and VIP security.
Because YAMAM trains its own operators in such fields as sharp-shooting, reconnaissance, use of dogs, and bomb disposal, the elite unit has a rapid deployment time and high levels of coordination among various squads.
Most YAMAM operations are classified and those that are published are often credited to other units.
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