A glimpse at the new commando unit that defends southern Israel
The chief mission of the Rimon unit is to thwart terrorist attacks in the south

by Florit Shoihet
Israel Defense Forces
August 23, 2011

http://www.jewishpolicycenter.org/2417/a-glimpse-at-the-new-commando-unit-that-defends

Around a year ago, the IDF's Southern Command created a new commando reconnaissance unit, called Rimon.

The vast southern region of Israel is prone to terror activities, necessitating a commando force trained to engage in combat against terrorist cells operating in the area.

Last Thursday (August 18), terrorist attacks in the Eilat region took the lives of eight Israelis.

Still in its preliminary stages, the unit is being trained to face any challenge posed by enemies in the south, in both urban Gaza settings and in the open desert. The unit's primary mission is to thwart all terrorist activities in the region.

"The soldiers in the unit are extremely diverse: Ethiopians, Russians, Druze, Orthodox Jews, lone soldiers, etc." Lt. Y told IDF Website. "This diversity keeps them united."

"It's been years since the Rimon unit last existed in the IDF," said Lt. Y. "It offers many unique things, and there is truly a special feeling."

Lt. Y said that the new unit is in the process of forming its identity.

"Anything you do both good or bad, defines the unit," he said. "Every tradition we start will last for generations."

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