IDF unit Refaim's data-layered warfare one of the most effective weapons against Hamas, Hezbollah

Yahoo

a day ago

Refaim deploys compact teams of operators trained in both classic infantry combat and advanced technological warfare.
In Gaza and Lebanon, a small, elite Israeli military unit is quietly redefining modern warfare. Known as the 888 Multi-Dimensional Unit — or more commonly by its Hebrew name Refaim — the IDF's most classified combat formation has emerged as one of the most effective weapons in Israel's wars against Hamas and Hezbollah.
Established in 2020 under the IDF's multi-year momentum plan (Tnufa), Refaim was designed as an experimental force to fuse ground maneuvering with high-tech precision, integrating advanced drones, robotics, and real-time intelligence.
On October 7, 2023, officers and fighters from the unit were scheduled to depart for a top-secret, large-scale training exercise in the US. However, following Hamas's large-scale attack, the unit were forced to assist in southern Israel.
Unit commander Col. Roy Levy and training platoon commander Capt. Yotam Ben-Bassat entered Gaza Division territory and were killed in combat with terrorists at Kibbutz Re'im. Communications officer Lt. Yonatan Gutin fell in battle at Kibbutz Be'eri. Sgt. Itai Nehmias, who had managed to rescue civilians, was killed during combat at Moshav Mivtahim.
Despite the losses, Refaim split into special teams and embedded with the 162nd Division's brigade combat teams from the first day of ground maneuvering in Gaza. Later, the unit was reassigned to operations under the 252nd Reserve Division and then to Division 99, and operated in the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza.
A senior officer noted that Refaim quickly distinguished itself through its 'battlefield agility,' often operating ahead of armored units to detect threats, gather intelligence, and efficiently take out enemy cells.
On October 19, 2024, the Refaim forces were integrated into the Jabaliya campaign.
Refaim deploys compact teams of operators trained in both classic infantry combat and advanced technological warfare. Each platoon — of which there are only a few — specializes in surveillance, artillery guidance, or strike operations. They move fast, work independently, and rely heavily on autonomous systems and drone swarms.
One senior officer described the unit's approach as 'data-layered warfare.' Refaim's teams use real-time aerial footage, pattern recognition, and live target mapping to convert raw intelligence into precise action — often within minutes.
This capability has turned Refaim into a critical tool for division commanders. 'Give them a sliver of intel, and they'll turn it into a kill,' one official said. 'Silently.'
"The enemy won't even know we're there. Sometimes, that target is hit by a kamikaze drone.'
However, over the course of several months in Gaza, the unit has suffered multiple casualties, including Maj. Hod Shreibman, who was killed in close combat during a house-clearing operation in the Jabaliya refugee camp, a deadly battle that ultimately resulted in the elimination of 25 Hamas operatives, some of whom were linked to the October 7 massacre.
In early 2025, Refaim was redeployed to southern Lebanon to conduct precision strikes against Hezbollah. There, the unit adapted to the region's complex terrain and the enemy's tactics, employing drone networks and AI-powered surveillance to identify and eliminate ten Hezbollah field commanders.
'The field teams created a profile of the enemy, understood this very different environment from Gaza, and built intelligence that still supports Northern Command. When Hezbollah tried to touch a missile or rocket — we hit them. It was pinpoint work with big results, even identifying people just by photos," Maj.-Gen. Uri Gordin said of the unit's efforts.
While the IDF officially maintains a defensive posture in the north, Refaim's operations in Lebanon blurred the lines — combining preemptive strikes, long-range reconnaissance, and real-time targeting.
'If a Hezbollah operative even touches a missile, we see it. We're watching, and we're ready,' said a senior Northern Command officer.
The unit's work has been credited with thwarting Hezbollah's efforts to entrench itself along the border under the guise of humanitarian activity.
Recently, the unit returned to northern Gaza with Division 162, now led by Brig. Gen. Shagiv Dahan, where Refaim uses its ability to rapidly absorb new classified drones and technologies for offense and defense, including performance testing, high-level operator training, and tactics development.
'The combination of capabilities no other ground unit has makes Refaim the Division Commander's whip. They can hold wide areas over time with precision. Their layering method — peeling terrain, creating data layers — has proven revolutionary," a senior Southern Command officer said.
Refaim calls this "Adaptation" – the ability to quickly reorganize around a mission from division or brigade command.
'We tested multiple methods and technologies pre-war. They matured into this. Refaim closes fire loops — alone or with support. It's a profession. It gives the division commander an independent tool for recon and strike," a senior officer said.
Refaim has not been included in discussions regarding the possibility of downsizing certain elite units amid broader manpower concerns across the IDF.
Senior IDF officials have categorically denied any plan to scale back the unit, noting its unmatched contribution across multiple fronts.
'There's no other unit like Refaim,' one ground forces officer said. 'It's not just a special force — it's a combat lab, a tech incubator, and a front-line tool rolled into one.'
All Refaim platoon commanders are veteran officers from elite infantry brigades such as Golani, Paratroopers, or Nahal, who are brought in for a third command position. Their fighters are carefully selected; many choose Refaim over traditional special forces tracks or air force pilot courses.
Backed by cutting-edge technology and battlefield experience, Refaim is seen as the prototype for future ground operations. As Hamas continues to adapt with guerrilla tactics and Hezbollah grows bolder, the IDF's ability to outmaneuver enemies in real-time will be critical.
From mapping tunnel networks to intercepting terror cells mid-escape, the unit is becoming a cornerstone of Israel's ground doctrine.
'Refaim doesn't just close fire loops,' one officer said. 'They redesign them. And they do it faster than anyone else.'