Yahalom unit
The Yahalom Unit (Unit 5528) is the IDF's elite special forces combat engineering unit, specializing in counter-tunnel warfare, explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), and high-risk demolition. It is the primary force responsible for locating and neutralizing sophisticated underground terror infrastructure across all fronts.
The Yahalom Unit is the Israel Defense Forces' premier authority on subterranean warfare and explosive engineering. Its name, a Hebrew acronym for 'Special Operations Engineering Unit,' reflects its broad mandate to handle the military's most complex technical and tactical challenges. The unit is divided into several specialized sub-units: 'Samur' (tunnels and underground warfare), 'Sapir' (EOD and ordnance disposal), and 'Yael' (clandestine demolition and maritime engineering). In recent years, Yahalom has transitioned from a support role to a frontline offensive force, particularly as the threat of subterranean warfare from Iranian-backed proxies has intensified.
In late 2026, Yahalom played a decisive role in dismantling strategic Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon. In June, the unit led the exposure of a massive Iran-funded tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge, located just six kilometers from Metula. This complex featured living quarters and medical facilities designed to house hundreds of terrorists for an invasion of northern Israel. More recently, in September 2026, Yahalom forces achieved a major milestone by neutralizing the Ali Taher Ridge tunnel network. This operation required the use of 1,100 tons of explosives to destroy over 5.4 kilometers of tunnels reaching depths of 50 meters into solid rock. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized this site as the largest Iranian outpost outside of Iran. The unit's expertise remains vital to ensuring that subterranean threats do not facilitate cross-border raids against Israeli civilians.