JULY 29, 1993
IDF Spokesman's Office
IDF SPECIAL COUNTERTERRORISM UNITS
Background Briefing
Terrorism in the Territories
In recent months, there has been an intensification of terrorist
activity in the territories. Consequently, the security forces have had
to take firm steps to prevent this violence.
The hard core 'wanted' terrorists are responsible for much of this
terrorism. Today there are about 200 armed terrorists 'at large'
operating in the territories, assisted by local Palestinians.
Their acts of terrorism have caused the death and injury of Israeli
citizens and IDF soldiers. In addition, these terrorists have murdered
hundreds of fellow Palestinians, suspected by them of cooperating with
Israeli authorities. Since January 1, 1993, 11 Israeli citizens, 8 IDF
soldiers and 70 Palestinians have been killed in the territories by
these Arab terrorists.
The Special Units Operating in the Territories
The primary role of the special undercover IDF units operating in the
territories is to apprehend those who carry out acts of violence. A
fundamental part of their task is to clearly differentiate between those
engaged in terrorist activity and the local population who do not.
These units are exposed to daily threats to their lives. They are
engaged in a constant confrontation with hard core terrorists, who are
not restrained by any law and who are armed with various lethal weapons,
including firearms. The task of these units is complex and is carried
out in a hostile environment, amid constant friction with the civilian
population. However, it is stressed that all of these units must comply
fully with the Rules of Engagement ('open-fire' regulations) which apply
to all IDF forces operating in the field.
The Legal Basis of the Rules of Engagement
It should be emphasized, first and foremost, that the Rules of
Engagement have undergone no basic change, and remain as follows:
IDF soldiers are permitted to use live fire in two situations only:
1. When a soldier finds himself in a life-threatening situation, in
which case he may direct fire toward the threat (the recent
intensication of terrorism in the territories has demonstrated that
one type of life-threatening situation encountered is that of a
soldier engaging an individual carrying a firearm).
2. While carrying out the standard procedure for apprehending a
suspect, in which case the fire is directed to halt the suspect and
not to kill him. During violent rioting, soldiers may be permitted
to use plastic and rubber bullets to disperse the rioters.
These regulations apply to all IDF soldiers, including those serving in
special units.
Following the rise in violence in the territories and the new
circumstances in which IDF soldiers find themselves, the regulations
were updated and modified, without reference to the special units, in
order to meet the immediate threat posed by those suspects identified as
carrying weapons.
This update constitues part of an ongoing process of adjustment and
modification to situations in the field, without changing the basic
legal basis of the regulations as detailed above. Furthermore, every
such adjustment or modification is reviewed by the military advocate.
Dealing with Deviations from Orders
The IDF has routine and strict procedures regarding the investigation of
cases in which Palestinians are killed. In cases in which deviations
from IDF regulations and instructions have occurred, those responsible
are brought to justice. In all cases of death, a military police
investigation is immediately opened, and the findings are brought before
the military prosecutor. In cases when those involved are found to have
deviated from regulations, they are courtmartialed.
The norm, whereby IDF soldiers and officers, including senior officers,
are courtmatialed and punished for these offenses, is proof of the
resoluteness of the IDF penal system to prosecute these cases. This
penal standard applies to the special units as well. For example, a
senior special unit commander with the rank of lieutenant colonel was
involved in an incident in which a local Palestinian resident was
killed. He was found to have deviated from the Rules of Engagement, was
brought up on criminal charges, and was punished. Moreover, the
prosecutor submitted an appeal to the military court of appeals, and the
sentence was increased.
Currently, there are two indictments pending against two officers from
the special units suspected of involvement in cases in which local
Palestinian residents were killed as a result of the failure to abide by
the Rules of Engagement.
It should however be emphasized that these cases are clearly the
exception. In thousands of operations and life-threatening situations,
the Rules of Engagement have been strictly followed this under
difficult conditions, when the soldiers lives were in danger and when
split-second decisions must be taken.
The Achievements of the Special Units in the War against Terrorism
While operating in accordance with the high ethical norms of the IDF,
since their establishment, the special units have recorded many
successes in the war against terrorism.
The greatest achievements have been against the hard core terrorist
groups and in the apprehension of fugitives.
Since January 1, 1993, 18 wanted terrorists have been killed, 7 have
surrendered, 59 have been apprehended, and 42 have fled across the
border.
Openness to Inspection
As an army in a democratic state, the IDF operates in accordance with
military law and the laws of the state as passed by its elected leaders.
The IDF is subject to constant inspection and investigation by both
military and civilian bodies.
The IDF permits regular visits in the territories by human rights
organizations from Israel and abroad, and allows unprecedented open and
free press coverage in the territories. As a rule, bona-fide human
rights groups enjoy the cooperation of the IDF, which has replied to
hundreds of inquiries on questions of human rights in the territories.