Nine out of a thousand: Israel completes unique Yamam training course

In Israel, the ceremony of graduation of fighters of the elite anti-terrorist unit Yamam: out of more than a thousand candidates, only nine completed the course, which emphasizes the unique rigour of selection and the highest professionalism of the Israeli special services.

On the evening of September 22, 2026, a ceremony was held at the Yamam base in the center of Israel, marking the end of one of the most difficult and prestigious training courses in the country - the course of fighters of the national anti-terrorist unit of Israel. Of the more than a thousand candidates who passed the multi-stage selection and tough “gugugush”, only nine young people, mostly veterans of combat and special army units, were honored to receive the cherished badge of the Yamam fighter and officially join the elite of the Israeli security forces.

The ceremony was held in the presence of the head of the Israeli police, equal to Dani Levy, the commander of the Border Police (Magav) nitsava Barik Yitzhak, the commander of Yamam tet-nitsava 'A', as well as command staff, veterans of the unit, families of graduates and invited guests. In their speeches, the leaders emphasized not only the exceptional complexity of the course, which lasted about nine months, but also the special mission that the new fighters will have to fulfill in the context of modern Israeli reality.

“You are the best fighters in the world!” said Dani Levy, addressing the graduates. The spirit and professionalism that are built here prepare the Yamam fighters for the most difficult missions - to those moments when human life depends on one decision and one precise action. These moments require years of preparation. You proved today that you deserve to be part of Israel’s national counterterrorism unit.”.

Commander Mahav, a nyak of Barik Yitzhak, said: At this symbolic moment, we welcome top-class fighters into the division. Each of you is a special talent, personal resilience, courage, resourcefulness, skill and impeccable professionalism. You have chosen a special mission in turbulent times, have come a long and grueling journey, and if you stand here, you are truly the best.

Commander Yamam, a tet-nitsaev 'A', added: Nine out of a thousand have begun this journey. It sounds impressive, but only those who have taken your course can truly understand what it means. It's not the number that matters, it's what you've experienced: morning rises with muscle pain, workouts at the limit, moments of failure and doubt. We are proud of you not because you are nine, but because you have become nine without giving up.”.

Yamam is a unit created in 1974 after the tragedy in Maalot, when the failure of the release of hostages revealed the need for a specialized police structure to fight terrorism and conduct hostage rescue operations in Israel. Unlike army special forces, Yamam reports to the Department of Homeland Security and operates primarily in civilian areas, performing both anti-terrorism and SWAT functions. The selection in Yamam is one of the toughest in the world: candidates are usually former fighters of elite army units, and the course lasts about nine months and includes intensive training in counterterrorism, assault, hostage rescue and other operational skills. During the training, recruits participate in real operations under the guidance of experienced fighters.

In recent years, Yamam has repeatedly become a key tool in the fight against terrorism. After the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, the unit’s fighters played a crucial role in repelling attacks, releasing hostages and eliminating terrorists in various locations in the country, including Ofakim and the Times of Israel. In June 2024, Yamam conducted Operation Arnon to free four hostages in the Gaza Strip, which ended successfully but tragically with the death of Commander Arnon Zamora, after whom the operation was named.

Of more than a thousand candidates, only nine – less than 1% completed the course. For comparison, in the British SAS and the American Delta Force, the selection rate is about 10%, which is already considered extremely low by world standards. Thus, Yamam occupies a unique place among the elite units of the world, and its standards of selection and training are considered one of the most stringent and demanding.

With continued tensions on Israel’s borders, growing threats from terrorist organizations and constant attempts to infiltrate the country, the role of the Yamams and other elite units is only growing. In the coming years, Israel will continue to invest in the development of special units, improving selection and training methods, and expanding international security cooperation. Police and Border Guard leaders such as Dani Levy and Barik Yitzhak have repeatedly stressed that such fighters are the answer to the challenges of the time and guarantee the safety of the country’s citizens.