There are 2 types of "Special Forces" units in the Israeli
Defence Forces;
1. "Palsar" - reconnaissance and raiding companies integral to
Brigades of the Army: eg Para, Golani, Givati, Nahal etc.. Their
missions are essentially tactical in support of their parent
brigade's operations - eg route reconnaissance, clearing and
surveillance; diversionary raids, prisoner snatches, special
demolition tasks etc..
2. "Sayeret" - autonomous companies (or battalions) of troops of
strategic purpose who operate under the direction of higher command
authorities, including the Office of the Prime Minister/ Cabinet.
Their operations are covert; usually at long range, frequently
outside the borders of Israel, and generally geared to achieving
"strategic" effects - eg location and destruction of enemy assets
such as nuclear facilities, major bases, ports, major headquarters
etc, or external hostage rescue/ counter terrorism ops, or "kill or
capture" of key enemy personnel.
"Sayert Matkal" is the General Staff Reconnaissance Unit, about
a battalion size, subordinate to the Chiefs of Staff and Military
Intelligence Directorate. Israeli equivalent of the British SAS or
US Combat Applications Group (aka "Delta Force"). Focuses on
strategic reconnaissance and raiding; counter terrorism and hostage
rescue abroad etc..
"Sayeret Maglan" is a LRRP unit (large company size)
specialising in deep penetration reconnaissance and raiding
focusing on locating and neutralising particularly threatening
enemy weapons and other systems - eg missile sites/ silos, advanced
air defence systems, NBC facilities etc..
"Sayeret Shaldag" are Air Force commandos specialising in target
location, forward air control/ target destruction outside Israel's
borders.
"Shayetet 13" are the Naval commandos - Israeli equivalent of US
Navy SEALS and British SBS.
There are also a number of other highly specialised covert units
(some military, others part of the Police or Border Police) that
conduct special tasks in the Occupied Territories or along border
areas with Syria and Lebanon.
