Sayeret Matkal - Known Operations

Known Operations

Until recently the Israeli army had an official policy of denying the existence of this unit. Operations were generally attributed to "elite paratroopers". Sayeret Matkal operations are still kept classified to this day. However, due to the unit's successes, it soon became a widely-known secret.

• 1963 – Operation Halutz – first heliborne commando operation using Sikorsky H-34 helicopters in the Sinai desert. This was reconnaissance for Operation ShrakRak to follow. The operation was prompted by information that Egypt had moved an armored division and three infantry brigades into the Sinai desert.
• 1964 – Operation Shrakrak – the operation for which Halutz was a preparation, very likely the planting of listening or warning devices. This operation was credited with aiding greatly in the victory of the Six-Day War. Ehud Barak commanded Sayeret Matkal forces in the field in Operations Halutz and Shrakrak.
• 1968 – Operation Shock – sabotage of power plant and Nile bridges in Egypt (jointly with Israeli Air Force).
• 1968 – Operation Gift – sabotage of 14 Arab airliners in Beirut International Airport, Lebanon.
• 1969 – Operations Orchard 22, Orchard 37 - assaults on high voltage wires and a control antenna in Egypt.
• 1969 – Operation Bulmus 6 – assault on fortified Green Island, Egypt (jointly with Shayetet 13).
• 1969 – Operation Rooster 53 – seizing an entire Egyptian radar installation (jointly with Israeli Air Force).
• 1972 – Operation Isotope – foiling the hijacking of Sabena Flight 571 in Tel Aviv, Israel (hostages rescue).
• 1972 – Operation Crate 3 – kidnapping 5 Syrian intelligence officers.
• 1973 – Operation Spring of Youth – killing Black September terrorist leaders in Beirut, Lebanon (jointly with Shayetet 13).
• 1973 – Yom Kippur War – recapture of Mount Hermon from Syrian commandos (jointly with Golani Brigade); deep interdiction ambushes in Egypt and Syria.
• 1974 – Ma'alot massacre – school hostages rescue.
• 1975 – Savoy Operation – hotel hostages rescue.
• 1976 – Operation Thunderbolt (Operation Jonathan) – hostage rescue following Air France aircraft hijacking to Entebbe, Uganda.
• 1978 – Coastal Road Massacre – bus hostages rescue.
• 1980 – Misgav Am hostage crisis – Kibbutz nursery hostages rescue.
• 1982 - 1982 Lebanon War - deep reconnaissance ahead of Israeli forces (snipers managed to target Yasser Arafat although they were not allowed to fire)
• 1984 – Kav 300 affair – bus hostages rescue, see the Shabak's years of crisis.
• 1988 – Tunis Raid – assassination of Abu Jihad, in Tunis, Tunisia.
• 1989 – Kidnapping of Sheik Abdul-Karim Obeid, Lebanon (see Ron Arad).
• 1990 – Overcame terrorists who arrived in a boat to Nitzanim (Nadav Padan was decorated for this operation).
• 1992 – Operation Bramble Bush – plan to assassinate Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.
• 1994 – Mustafa Dirani kidnapping, Lebanon (see Ron Arad).
• 1994 – Nachshon Wachsman – failed hostage rescue.
• 2006 – Second Lebanon War: Operation Sharp and Smooth – disrupt weapons smuggling (jointly with the Shaldag Unit); other operations to disrupt weapons smuggling (in one of them the force was discovered and Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Moreno was killed and two others were wounded in the ensuing gun battle).
• 2007 – Collecting soil samples in Syria prior to Operation Orchard, the bombing of an alleged Syrian nuclear reactor.