The Multidimensional Unit, also known as Unit 888 or the “Refaim” Unit (), is an

Israel Defense Forces The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and ...

(IDF)

Special Operations Special operations or special ops are military activities conducted, according to NATO, by "specially designated, organized, selected, trained, and equipped forces using unconventional techniques and modes of employment." Special operations ma ...

task force A task force (TF) is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology. Many ...

operating under the

Ground Forces An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by p ...

. Established in 2019 by IDF Chief of Staff

Aviv Kochavi Aviv Kohavi (; born 23 April 1964) is an Israeli former general who served as the 22nd Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces from January 15, 2019 to January 16, 2023. Before becoming Lieutenant General ( Rav-Aluf), he was commander ...

as part of the "Momentum" program, the unit aims to develop new warfare tactics and adapt to evolving threats and battlefield conditions. It integrates multiple warfare domains—including

infantry Infantry, or infantryman are a type of soldier who specialize in ground combat, typically fighting dismounted. Historically the term was used to describe foot soldiers, i.e. those who march and fight on foot. In modern usage, the term broadl ...

engineering Engineering is the practice of using natural science, mathematics, and the engineering design process to Problem solving#Engineering, solve problems within technology, increase efficiency and productivity, and improve Systems engineering, s ...

anti-tank warfare Anti-tank warfare refers to the military strategies, tactics, and weapon systems designed to counter and destroy enemy armored vehicles, particularly tanks. It originated during World War I following the first deployment of tanks in 1916, and ...

aerial warfare Aerial warfare is the use of military aircraft and other flying machines in warfare. Aerial warfare includes bombers attacking tactical bombing, enemy installations or a concentration of enemy troops or Strategic bombing, strategic targets; fi ...

, and

intelligence collection This is a list of intelligence gathering disciplines. HUMINT Human intelligence (HUMINT) are gathered from a person in the location in question. Sources can include the following: * Advisors or foreign internal defense (FID) personnel wor ...

—and serves as a testing ground for new military technologies.

Historical context and establishment

The Multidimensional Unit was established in 2019 under the IDF's "Momentum" program (known as "Tnufa" in

Hebrew Hebrew (; ''ʿÎbrit'') is a Northwest Semitic languages, Northwest Semitic language within the Afroasiatic languages, Afroasiatic language family. A regional dialect of the Canaanite languages, it was natively spoken by the Israelites and ...

), a multi-year initiative to enhance military capabilities in response to emerging threats. The unit was publicly announced on January 1, 2020. Its

headquarters Headquarters (often referred to as HQ) notes the location where most or all of the important functions of an organization are coordinated. The term is used in a wide variety of situations, including private sector corporations, non-profits, mil ...

had been established earlier, and initial combat troops were allocated shortly before the announcement. In February 2020, the unit unveiled its

insignia An insignia () is a sign or mark distinguishing a group, grade, rank, or function. It can be a symbol of personal power or that of an official group or governing body. An insignia, which is typically made of metal or fabric, is a standalone sy ...

: a sword within the number 8, with arrows in various directions, and a pommel displaying the

binary code A binary code represents plain text, text, instruction set, computer processor instructions, or any other data using a two-symbol system. The two-symbol system used is often "0" and "1" from the binary number, binary number system. The binary cod ...

"1101111000" (representing the decimal number - 888). A notable event in its history occurred on October 7, 2023, when its first commander,

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

Roi Levy, was killed during the battle of Re'im in the

Gaza war The Gaza war is an armed conflict in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel fought since 7 October 2023. A part of the unresolved Israeli–Palestinian conflict, Israeli–Palestinian and Gaza–Israel conflict, Gaza–Israel conflicts dating ...

Role and structure

Unit 888 is designed for versatility, combining

, and

into a cohesive force. It serves as a testing ground for new warfare tactics and technologies. The unit supports the "Momentum" program's focus on the "sensor to shooter" loop, which aims to detect targets (sensors) and strike them (shooters) more quickly and effectively. This work aims to influence broader IDF strategies. While its exact structure remains classified, it reportedly draws personnel from elite units like the

Nahal Brigade The 933rd "Nahal" Brigade is one of the Israel Defense Forces' main infantry brigades. It has operated in all major wars and large-scale operations since its inception in 1982, playing key roles during the 1982 and the 2006 Lebanon Wars and t ...

and

Paratroopers Brigade The 35th Paratroopers Brigade (, ''Hativat HaTzanhanim'') is an Israeli military airborne infantry brigade. It is a selective unit, which accepts new recruits following physical tryouts and interviews, and consists of volunteers. It forms a m ...

, suggesting a composition of highly skilled soldiers. The unit is led by a

colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

, as exemplified by its first commander,

Roi Levy.

Training

Enlisted personnel selected for Unit 888 must go through a physical and mental selection process before starting training. Because of the unit's flexible nature and its mission to develop new tactics within the IDF, soldiers undergo regular

special forces Special forces or special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

selection processes while also being tested for

creativity Creativity is the ability to form novel and valuable Idea, ideas or works using one's imagination. Products of creativity may be intangible (e.g. an idea, scientific theory, Literature, literary work, musical composition, or joke), or a physica ...

and

problem-solving Problem solving is the process of achieving a goal by overcoming obstacles, a frequent part of most activities. Problems in need of solutions range from simple personal tasks (e.g. how to turn on an appliance) to complex issues in business an ...

skills. Combat training includes enduring extreme physical and mental challenges for over 14–16 months, which not all

trainees A trainee is commonly known as an individual taking part in a trainee program within an organization after having graduated from technical and higher courses. A trainee is an official employee of the firm that is being trained to the job they we ...

can complete. Those who successfully complete training may receive additional training specializing in a specific field. Iron swords-Multidimensional Unit-003

Operational engagements

The unit has been active in the

, with a significant loss on 7 October 2023, when

Roi Levy was killed in the battle of Re'im. The unit saw its operational debut on January 13, 2024, conducting its first ground operation in Gaza, including activity in Jabalya and northern Gaza, where it operated advanced technologies like armed drones and precision mortars.

Gallery

File:Establishment ceremony of the multidimensional unit. I.webm File:Establishment ceremony of the multidimensional unit. III.jpg File:Establishment ceremony of the multidimensional unit. IV.jpg File:Establishment ceremony of the multidimensional unit. V.jpg File:Establishment ceremony of the multidimensional unit. VI.jpg

External links

Such a unit was never in the IDF – until today
on IDF website, January 2020

References

{{Reflist Special forces of Israel Military units and formations established in 2019