IDF upgrades capabilities of counter terror units
Amid the threat of Hamas or Hezbollah kidnapping Israeli citizens or soldiers to be used as bargaining chips to release security prisoners, elite IDF units train at Counter Terror School, where they work to improve cooperation between snipers and the 'monkeys' who storm into buildings to rescue hostages.
The Israeli Counter Terror School, where elite units train, has been working on increasing the collaboration between snipers and the combatants who break into the rooms to extract hostages. Ynet reporters have recently joined one such exercise at the Adam training base in central Israel.
"The sniper observes the room on behalf of the 'monkey,' and their relationship is covert and direct," explained one of the training officers.
"It includes transferring data and instructions in real time, because the 'monkey' will only encounter the threat for the first time after he has broken inside. The sniper shoots the first shot and the 'monkeys' enter and finish the job. Their cooperation is crucial for the success of the mission," he added.
The Counter Terror Unit is also considering equipping the storming forces with small demolition blocks and small axes for use during a "hot breach" or "cold breach" of barred or closed windows, allowing them to quickly and more easily remove obstacles and facilitate fast entry.
The IDF sees the threat of the abduction of soldier to be used for bargaining and attaining the release of imprisoned terrorists as a central goal of terror groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Hamas has already orchestrated such kidnappings, including the abduction of IDF soldier Gilad Shalit
in 2006 and the 2014 kidnapping
of three Israeli teenagers in the West Bank, who were murdered shortly after.
The IDF is therefore looking into equipping counter terror units with special slides that can be used to efficiently descend from the roof to a room in which terrorists are located or hostages are being held.
The IDF is also preparing for a scenario in which Hamas or Hezbollah terrorists infiltrate via tunnels or via the fence and entrench themselves inside of a building with Israeli hostages.
To combat this threat, the IDF has improved the readiness and availability of counter terror units in the different sectors.
