Shayetet 13

13th Flotilla
Shayetet 13
S'13 Insignia
Active	1948–present
Country	Israel
Branch	Israeli Navy
Type	Maritime Sayeret Special Operation Force
Role	Special Operations Counter-terrorism Sabotage Special Reconnaissance Visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS)
Size	3 companies
Part of	Israeli Navy
Garrison/HQ	Atlit naval base
Nickname(s)	השייטת (HaShayetet, The Flotilla)
Motto(s)	As the bat emerges from the darkness, As the blade cuts through with silence, As the grenade smashes in rage
Engagements	Suez Crisis Six-Day War War of Attrition Operation Spring of Youth Operation Litani 1982 Lebanon War South Lebanon conflict Operation Moses First Intifada Second Intifada Santorini Noah's Ark Abu Hasan 2006 Lebanon War Gaza War Francop Affair Gaza flotilla raid Iron Law Operation Full Disclosure Operation Protective Edge 2023 Israel–Hamas war
Commanders
Notable commanders	Ami Ayalon Ze'ev Almog Yoav Galant
Insignia
Shoulder Tag

Shayetet 13 (Hebrew: שייטת 13, lit. 'Flotilla 13') is a unit of the Israeli Navy and one of the primary reconnaissance units of the Israel Defense Forces. Shayetet 13 specializes in sea-to-land incursions, counter-terrorism, sabotage, maritime intelligence gathering, maritime hostage rescue, and boarding. The unit is trained for sea, air and land actions.^[1] The unit has taken part in almost all of Israel's major wars, as well as other actions.

The unit is one of the most secretive in the Israeli military. The details of many missions and identities of active operatives are kept highly classified. The unit is respected as among the best of the world's special forces,^[2] and is compared to the US Navy SEALs and Britain's Special Boat Service.^[3] Unlike many other Israeli Special Forces Units which take men only for their 36-month mandatory service, volunteers for Shayetet 13 must agree to service at least four and a half years.^[4]