Unit 504 (Hebrew: יחידה 504) is one of a military intelligence unit of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) responsible for clandestine and covert operations, counterintelligence, HUMINT, intelligence assessment, and military intelligence. They are also trained in CQB/CQC self-defense in emergency situations.[1]
| Unit 504 | |
|---|---|
| יחידה 504 | |
 | |
| Founded | 1948 |
| Country |  Israel |
| Allegiance |  Israel Defense Forces |
| Branch |  Military Intelligence Directorate |
| Type | Military intelligence unit |
| Role | Clandestine operation Close-quarters battle Counterintelligence Covert operation HUMINT Intelligence assessment Interrogation Military intelligence Special operations Strategic intelligence Surveillance |
| Size | Classified |
| Decorations | Chief of Staff Medal of Appreciation |
Operations
editLike the Mossad, Unit 504 is performing clandestine and covert operations, gathering military intelligence, and special operations outside the borders of the State of Israel and like the Shin Bet it also operates in the Palestinian territories, having responsibilities overlapping with Israel's two other main intelligence agencies.[2]
The unit is also responsible for interrogating IDF prisoners, both prisoners of war and unlawful combatants. Unit 504 is operating the IDF's black sites, including Camp 1391.[3]
History
editThe unit was founded at the same time as the IDF in 1948, shortly after Israel's declaration of independence, and has been involved in all the country's wars and conflicts. It was then called "Modi'in 10". The name "Modi'in" (Hebrew: מודיעין) derives from the village of the high priest Mattathias who helped spark the Maccabean Revolt. Its name was changed to "Unit 154" in 1957 and after the Six-Day War, following its merger with Unit 560 (which then dealt with interrogating prisoners) its name was changed to "Unit 7019", finally after the Yom Kippur War it gained its current name of "Unit 504".
The unit was involved in the 2019 assassination of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Baha Abu al-Ata.[4]
In January 2020, a senior officer in the unit was sentenced to 28 days incarceration and another demoted for using an agent to purchase tahini as a gift for their superiors and for attempting to cover-up the affair.[5]
On 20 November 2023, the unit stated that it had interrogated five hundred Palestinians thus far in the Israel–Hamas war.[6]
Unit 504 participated in the November 2024 Batroun raid.[7]
Reception
editCommendations
editIn April 2019, the unit was awarded the second highest military commendation by the Israeli military for its activities in Syria and Lebanon between 2013 and 2018.[8]
Criticism
editYossi Melman of Haaretz has claimed that the unit "has had a reputation of acting unscrupulously, lacking inhibition and proper supervision, whose commanders will whitewash investigations and turn a blind eye to questionable operations," saying that the unit has been accused of using torture and of being involved in drug smuggling.[9] Chris McGreal of The Guardian has written that the unit "has a hard reputation, and some of its members have badly blemished records."[10]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ מה שאפשר לספר לכם על יחידה 504. Israel Defense Forces (in Hebrew). 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ עלילות סוכני יחידת המודיעין 504 בלבנון. הארץ (in Hebrew). Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ "Secrets of Unit 1391". Newsweek. 27 June 2004. Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
- ^ Segell, Glen (7 February 2022). "Israel's Intelligence gathering and analysis for the target assassination of Baha Abu al-Ata (2019)". Defense & Security Analysis. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ Gross, Judah Ari (31 January 2020). "Top intel officers fired, jailed for sending Palestinian agent on tehina errand". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ Fabian, Emanuel (20 November 2023). "IDF: We questioned 300 terror operatives; others from Gaza willingly providing intel on Hamas". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ CNN "Israel says it captured senior Hezbolla operative in amphibious special forces raid" November 2 2024
- ^ Gross, Judah Ari (11 April 2019). "IDF human intelligence unit earns commendation for thwarting terrorists in north". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
- ^ Melman, Yossi (9 January 2023). "Drug Smuggling Into Israel Is at an All-time High. Good News for Terrorists". Haaretz. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ McGreal, Chris (14 November 2003). "Facility 1391: Israel's secret prison". The Guardian. Retrieved 26 March 2024.